Dec. 18, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Just a week after earning East Coast all-region honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, University of Notre Dame volleyball player Jeni Houser has received AVCA honorable mention All-America accolades for the second year in a row after an outstanding junior campaign, the national organization announced Wednesday.
With the honor, Houser becomes just the fourth player in school history to earn AVCA honorable mention All-America or All-America accolades two or more times in her career, joining Lauren Brewster (2003-05), Lauren Kelbley (2003-05) and Christina Kaelin (2008-09).
In total, 10 student-athletes have earned 16 AVCA honorable mention All-America or All-America accolades since 2003.
“It’s an honor to be able to represent the University of Notre Dame and I couldn’t have earned this honor without the support of my teammates and coaches,” said Houser. “I am so lucky to attend such a prestigious university and I’m honored to wear Irish across my chest during matches.”
Houser, who was a second team all-BIG EAST selection as a freshman and a first team honoree as a sophomore, earned third team all-ACC accolades two weeks ago before receiving all-region honors last week. She switched to middle blocker from the right side during the spring and thrived at the position, leading the Irish in attack percentage (.303), points (394.0) and blocks (117) and finishing second in kills (311) and tied for fourth in service aces (14) while playing all 120 sets for Notre Dame.
During the non-conference slate, Houser earned spots on the all-tournament teams at both of Notre Dame’s home tournaments – the Golden Dome and Shamrock Invitationals – and was named MVP of the latter after leading the Irish to a 3-2 victory over Auburn after trailing 2-0. In that match she had a team-high 18 kills (.531 A%) and a career-best 13 blocks to total an impressive 26.5 points.
In a Nov. 29 victory over Boston College, Houser became just the 21st player in school history to reach the 1,000-kill plateau. She’ll enter her senior season with 1,010 kills (.306 A%) and 276 blocks for 1,190.5 points.
For more information on Notre Dame volleyball follow the team on Facebook (/NDVolleyball) and Twitter (@NDVolleyball).
— Russell Dorn, Assistant Media Relations Director
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