From Emory University Athletics
Four members of the Emory volleyball program have been recognized for their outstanding play, culminating with recognition on the 2015 All-America Team as chosen by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). The Eagles placed two players on the first team, and a pair on the third team.
Headlining the group is senior setter Sydney Miles (Oklahoma City, OK), who was tabbed as a First Team All-American for the fourth consecutive year after ranking second in the University Athletic Association in assists with an 11.43 per-set average, with that mark good for the No. 3 spot nationally (through Nov. 15). Miles deft setting skills helped the Eagles to a conference-best attack percentage of .293 that stood second nationally. Earlier this season, Miles was named to the All-University Athletic Association First Team for the fourth straight year, becoming just the second player in program history to earn that distinction, and her total of 1,451 assists ranks fifth on the school seasonal ladder. Miles doled out 50 or more assists on four occasions this season (19 in her career) including a season-best 58 in a five-set win over Christopher Newport (Sept. 25). She closed out her brilliant career as the school's all-time leader with 5,835 assists. Miles is just one of three players in AVCA history to have captured first-team honors four times.
After landing second-team acclaim her first two seasons, junior middle Jessica Holler (Roswell, GA) pocketed her initial berth on the first team. The 6-foot-1 Holler was a formidable presence both offensively and defensively, leading the UAA with a .421 hitting percentage, good for the No. 1 among all D-III players (through Nov. 15) and third on the program's seasonal ladder. Named to the All-UAA First Team for the third straight season, Holler hit .400 or higher in 15 of the 31 matches she appeared in. She delivered 11 matches of double-figure kills and also concluded the year as the team leader with 43 service aces. Defensively, Holler paced the team and ranked sixth among league performers with an average of 0.83 blocks per set. She registered four or more blocks in nine matches including a season-high nine (1-8) vs. Birmingham Southern in the semifinals of the NCAA Mount Berry, Georgia, Regional. At the end of the 2015 season, Holler stood sixth all-time at Emory with 380 total blocks.
Junior outside hitter Kathryn Trinka (North Bay Village, FL) played her way onto the third team after a banner seasonthat saw her top the team and stand second in the conference with a 3.61 kills-per-set average. Her total of 459 terminations placed her second on the Eagles' seasonal ladder while her 1,133 attack attempts represented the eighth-highest mark in school history. A Second Team All-UAA selection, the 6-foot-1 Trinka appeared in 36 matches and pounded out 10 or more kills on 31 occasions including a pair of contests with 20 terminations. Named the UAA Offensive Player of the Week twice, Trinka led or shared for team honors in kills in 28 matches.
Junior Sarah Maher (Orange, CA) garnered third-team acclaim after placing second on the squad and 11th in the conference with a 2.76 kills-per-set average. In addition to her kills average, Maher claimed the No. 8 position on the UAA ladder in hitting percentage (.265) and was 17th in digs (2.70 dps). A Second Team All-UAA choice, Maher appeared in 127 of the team's 133 sets and recorded 18 matches of double-figure kills and 20 with 10 or more digs. At the conclusion of the year, she had compiled 12 double-doubles (kills/digs).
Emory finished the 2015 season with an overall record of 34-4.