AVCA RELEASE

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After leading the Illinois volleyball team to their eighth NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in the last 10 years, juniors Jordyn Poulter and Ali Bastianelli garnered American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Third-Team accolades, the organization announced on Wednesday (December 13).

The duo becomes the just eighth and ninth two-time honorees in program history after earning AVCA All-America Honorable Mention accolades a season ago. Poulter most recently was named to the University Park Regional All-Tournament Team, while the pair also earned their second-straight AVCA All-Northeast Region honors and collected All-Big Ten plaudits earlier this season.

One of main catalysts for the Illini, Poulter has totaled 1,357 assists for a 10.69 assists per set average this season to rank 48th in the nation and eighth in the Big Ten, while leading the Illini to a .276 team hitting percentage. A native of Aurora, Colorado, she also ranked second on the team with 116 blocks and 306 digs, for a 0.91 blocks and 2.41 digs per set average, while also adding 109 kills on a .369 hitting percentage and 16 service aces.

The only player in the Big Ten to rank in the top 15 in assists and blocks in both overall and conference statistics through the end of the regular season, Poulter has registered 13 double-doubles this season to up her career total to 23 and came within one kill of the program's 13th double-double in a win over Iowa on Senior Night. The Preseason All-Big Ten honoree also earned all-tournament accolades at the Cardinal Classic and Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational, including being named tournament MVP in Louisville, and was tabbed Big Ten Setter of the Week on November 16.

After leading the nation in blocks per set a season ago, Bastianelli has continued her success at the net this season, pacing the Big Ten and ranking fourth in the county with 1.60 stuffs per set, while also sitting 30th in the county and fifth in conference with a .378 hitting percentage. Her 199 total blocks – including 19 solo stuffs – also rank first in the league and second in the NCAA. In conference action, Bastianelli continued to shine, ranking third with a 1.39 blocks per set average and eighth with a .344 attack clip.

The Marysville, Michigan, native started in all 34 matches this season, seeing action in all but three sets. Along with leading the Illini in blocks and hitting percentage, she also ranked third with 300 kills for a 2.42 kills per set average and added 40 digs, 11 service aces and four assists on the season. The Preseason All-Big Ten selection also took home all-tournament team honors at the Bobcat Classic – where she was also named MVP – and the Cardinal Classic, while also collecting Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades on August 28.

A Big Ten record-setting 17 conference volleyball players were selected as AVCA All-Americans, with six of 14 first-team selections coming from the Big Ten. The league also holds six of the 14 second-team selections, with five players named to the third-team and 13 players chosen as AVCA Honorable Mention All-America recipients. 

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