TicketsNov. 16, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Led by Jessie Nevitt's first team selection, a trio of Cincinnati players were named to the All-BIG EAST squads during the league's pre-championship banquet on Thursday night at Great Hall on UC's campus. Nevitt was joined on the All-BIG EAST teams by seniors Myanna Hellsten and Noel Olson, who both received second team laurels.
The award for Nevitt (/Kennesaw Mountain) marks the second consecutive season she has been named to the All-BIG EAST first team. This season, Nevitt leads the BIG EAST in blocks per game (1.73) and is second in hitting percentage (.373). The sophomore has enjoyed a successful season that includes being named BIG EAST Player of the Week twice, earning a spot on a pair of all-tournament teams and breaking multiple school blocks records. She was also named to the BIG EAST preseason all-conference team. Nevitt's first team accolade makes her just the sixth UC player ever to earn more than one first team all-conference selection.
The award for Hellsten (Austin, Texas/St. Michael's Academy) marks the second time in her career she has been recognized as an all-conference performer. This fall, Hellsten has enjoyed the best season of her career with career-highs in kills (3.07) and blocks per game (1.41), ranking fourth in the BIG EAST in the latter. Against Bradley on Sept. 2, Hellsten established a pair of school records for block assists (12) and total blocks (13) in a three-game match. Hellsten, the 2003 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, earned a third team All C-USA honor a year later.
Olson (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis) enjoys all-conference accolades for the first time in her career, after leading the BIG EAST in assists during the regular season with a career-high 12.80 per game. The senior has been even better in BIG EAST play, holding a per game average of 13.14 to come in second among the league leaders. At the conclusion of her career, Olson will finish with the second-highest assists total in school history and will be among the top-five in assists per game.
, seeded fourth, opens the 2006 BIG EAST Championship on Friday, hosting fifth-seed Notre Dame at 6 p.m. That match, along with all of the tournament, will be held in Fifth Third Arena.