From Washington University Athletics
First-year setter Sam Buckley has been named the 2022 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Freshman of the Year and First Team All-America.
Buckley is the third player in program history to receive National Freshman of the Year, which was last won in 2013 when Caroline Dupont was chosen for the award.
"This is an awesome tribute to Sam's dedication and commitment to her teammates and our program," said Head Coach Vanessa Walby. "Sam works so hard and diligently each day to put her teammates in a successful position. She has worked to be a sponge all year and has adapted to our system and style and truly wants to learn and grow to be the best for her team. I see her digest so much info from the other setters, her teammates, and Coach Selle. Sam will do whatever it takes to help her team grow and I really look forward to seeing her continue to develop the next 3 years."
Buckley has had quite the sensational and standout season as a first-year for WashU, as she was also selected as the AVCA Region 8 Freshman of the Year and also named to the All-Region Team.
Additionally, she is the first winner of the Region Freshman of the Year for the Bears since 2013, also last won by Caroline Dupont.
In 34 matches played, Buckley posted 1,289 assists on the year which currently ranks first in the nation and compiled 40 or more assists in eight of the Bears' final 11 matches, including 96 in the Bears' two NCAA Regional contests last weekend.
The Naperville, Ill. native also led the league in assists per set (10.58), which also boasts the fifth-best mark in all of DIII.
In total, Buckley recorded 40+ assists 16 separate times in single-matches this season, including a season-best mark of 56 assists vs CWRU.
Fifth-year Michaela Bach collected All-American Honorable mention honors and was also chosen as an All-Region honoree. This marks Bach's first ever AVCA All-American and All-Region honors in her career.
Bach also won both UAA Most Valuable Player & was also named UAA First Team after a spectacular season on the court. In conference play alone, Bach was dominant and was first in the league with 97 kills and also first in kills per set (3.59).
This season, Bach became one of 30 players ever in program history to achieve 1,000 career kills as she led the Bears with 397 kills on the year, marking 1,221 for her career.
She reached double figures in kills 19 different times this season and also compiled 324 digs, 38 block assists, and 35 service aces. Nationally, Bach ranked 34th in total kills on the season and registered 14 double-doubles.
Additionally, Jasmine Sells received AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention honors. Sells notched double figures in kills 17 times on the year and had a big season with WU, ranking third on the team in total kills (327) as she finished with 65 kills in conference play for a .222 hitting percentage.
The Portland, Ore. native recorded a .283 hitting clip which led the Bears on the year (min. 500 total attacks) and was sixth in the UAA. Sells also finished the season with 100 digs and 23 block assists.
WashU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championship and posted a 30-6 record, earning a runner-up finish in the UAA.