From Emory University Athletics
Three members of the Emory volleyball program have been recognized for their outstanding play, culminating with recognition on the 2017 All-America Team as chosen by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
Headlining the group is sophomore outside hitter Sara Carr (Birmingham, AL), who was chosen to the first team. The 5-foot-11 Carr has emerged as a formidable all-around performer, entering this week's NCAA D-III Championships with a team-leading 3.29 kills-per-set average, good for the No. 3 spot among University Athletic Association players. Carr has totaled a team-high 21 matches of double-figure kills and has a pair of a career-high tying 22-termination contests to her credit, both coming vs. Carnegie Mellon (Oct. 15 & Nov. 3 in the UAA semifinals). In addition, she ranks second on the team and 19th among UAA players in digs (2.46 dps). Carr's .267 (391-102-1082) hitting percentage is eighth among UAA players. This past weekend, she was named the Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA D-III Atlanta Regional after averaging a team-high 3.33 kills over nine sets of action and hitting a solid .316 (30-5--79). In addition, she was second on the squad in digs with a 3.33 per-set average.
Sophomore Elyse Thompson (Tallahassee, FL), a lynchpin of the Emory defensive effort throughout the year, was tabbed to the third team. The 5-foot-7 libero is averaging 5.22 digs per set, good for the No. 3 position on the UAA ladder. Tied with Morgan McKnight for the team lead with 121 sets played (out of 127), Thompson has compiled double-figure digs in 31 of her 34 matches and has nine outings of 20 or more digs, including six with 30 or more. She established a school record with 38 digs in a 3-2 victory over Birmingham Southern (Oct. 22). Entering the D-III Championships, her 632 total digs place her third on the school's all-time seasonal ladder behind Kate Bowman (726 in 2014) and Taylor Erwin (653, 2012). Chosen as the UAA Defensive Player of the Week twice this year, Thompson landed a spot on the NCAA Atlanta Regional last weekend.
Rounding out the trio was sophomore Morgan McKnight (Manassas, VA) with her honorable-mention selection. The 5-foot-11 McKnight has been a key cog offensively, and will enter the NCAA Championships second on the team with 19 matches with 10 or more terminations. McKnight has ranked as the squad's leader in kills in 10 matches this year, stands seventh among UAA players in kills average (2.91 kps). She has been named the UAA Hitter of the Week on two occasions this year and earned a berth on last weekend's NCAA Atlanta Regional All-Tournament Team.