University of Albany's Gonzalez and Wright Named to AVCA Division I All-Northeast Region Honorable Mentions - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Four-time America East Conference Defensive Specialist of the Year Laurie Gonzalez and all-conference first-team member Casey Wright were both named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I All-Northeast Region Honorable Mentions, as announced by the organization on Tuesday.

Gonzalez was named the America East's top defensive specialist for the fourth consecutive season this year after leading the Great Danes to a 21-9 overall record, going 10-1 in league play. Gonzalez averaged a conference-high 5.33 digs per set and also finished with 23 service aces on the season. A native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Gonzalez was also named to the COBRA Magazine All-Northeast Region Team, along with teammate Traci Vandegrift. COBRA Magazine's purpose is to celebrate the success of volleyball players of African as well as Samoan and Tongan descent in hopes of encouraging young girls of those ethnic groups across the country to pursue the sport.

Wright, a native of Ballston Spa, N.Y., earned her first AVCA All-Region award as well, after leading the Great Danes and finishing fourth in the conference with 3.37 kills per set. She also led the America East in hitting percentage for the third straight season, hitting at a .393 clip, and was ranked eighth in blocks (0.81 per set). Wright, who helped lead UAlbany to their sixth conference title in the last eight years, was ranked fourth in points, averaging 3.95 per set.

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AVCA Division I All-Northeast Region Honorable Mentions


Laurie Gonzalez, Sr., L

Casey Wright, Sr., MB

COBRA Magazine All-Northeast Region Team

Laurie Gonzalez, Sr., L

Traci Vandegrift, Jr., OH