Slate named first team all-region

Three Wildcats named to AVCA all-region squad

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- ACU junior middle blocker Amanda Slate on Monday was named first team NCAA Division II all-Southwest Region by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association, the first Wildcat to ever earn that distinction.

Slate, who led ACU to a 28-8 record in 2004 and the school's first appearance in the Southwest Region Tournament, was joined on the squad by teammates Michelle Bernhardt and Lindsey Martin, both of whom were named honorable mention.

Slate, whose defensive prowess was a major force for the Wildcats during a historic 2004 season, was named the Lone Star Conference South Division Most Valuable Player earlier this month, the first Wildcat to ever earn that honor.

Slate -- whose power, 6-0 frame and intimidating presence in the middle were major reasons for the Wildcats' success -- led ACU to several firsts this year:  first LSC South Division title, first LSC volleyball championship and first NCAA Division II regional tournament berth.

She finished the season with 413 kills, a team-best .321 hitting percentage and a team-high 116 total blocks.  She was third in the LSC in hitting percentage, ninth in kills per game (3.41), third in total blocks and blocks per game (0.96) and third in service aces (0.50).  She ranks eighth on ACU's all-time blocks list with 359, and she is just outside the top 10 in career kills with 1,057 entering her senior season in 2005.

Bernhardt, a 5-9 junior outside hitter from Hereford, had another outstanding season for the Wildcats, leading them in kills with 538 to move into the top spot on ACU's all-time kills list with 1,584 and one year of eligibility left.  She earned three LSC South Division Hitter of the Week honors on her way to earning first team all-LSC South Division honors for the second straight season.  Bernhardt led the LSC in both kills and kills per game (4.45).

Martin dished out 1,623 assists on the season, giving her 4,202 for her career, which is good for second on ACU's all-time list.  She was named the LSC South Division Setter of the Week five times this year, and she led the LSC and is in the top10 in NCAA Division II volleyball in assists per game at 13.52.