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Baird Earns AVCA Third-Team All-American Honors
12/17/2008 12:00 AM | Volleyball
Dec. 17, 2008
OMAHA, Neb. - Utah senior middle blocker Lori Baird was named a Third-Team All-American and Emillie Toone received honorable mention honors, it was announced Wednesday by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Baird is the fourth player in Utah history to earn All-American honors.
"It's such a great honor for Lori and Emillie to both be recognized," Utah head coach Beth Launiere said. "We always talk about individual awards being team awards because they reflect the success of our team this season. These two have managed to be great team players. But at the same time, they both stand out as individual players."
After having one of the best individual seasons in school history, Baird already was recognized as an AVCA All-West Region selection as well as the Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year. Baird became the 10th member of Utah's 1,000-kill club and finished her career with the Utes seventh in school history with 1,236 career kills. Baird led the team this year with 3.05 kills per set, which finished fourth in the MWC and led or tied for the team lead in kills in 15 matches.
Defensively, the Murray, Utah, native finished this season second in the MWC and 16th in the country with 1.39 blocks per set. Baird is second in school history with 584 career block assists and third with 631 career blocks and led or tied for the team lead in blocks 14 times. Baird has posted seven career double-doubles, three this season, including a school-record 16 block assists to go along with 11 digs in a 3-0 win at BYU on Oct. 17.
Baird will fly to Omaha, Neb., to take part in festivities around Saturday's national championship match at the Qwest Center. Baird will sign autographs and be introduced between the second and third sets of the title match with the rest of the All-American selections.
Toone earned AVCA Honorable Mention recognition for the second time in her career. Toone ended her career as the most efficient attacker in school history, Toone led the MWC and was 12th in the nation with a school-record .393 hitting percentage, breaking her own record of .369 (set in 2006). The American Fork, Utah, native holds the school's career hitting efficiency record at .345 (845-220-1811). Toone also tied or led Utah in kills six times during 2008.
On the block, Toone finished her Ute career second in school history in total blocks (635) and third in block assists (583). Toone finished this season third in the conference and 19th nationally with 1.37 blocks per set, while leading or tying for the team lead in blocking during 13 matches this season.
The Utes finished their 2008 season 26-6 overall made their second NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance and won their sixth MWC championship season with a 14-2 record in league play.
Launiere was named the AVCA's West Region Coach of the Year last week, and is eligible to win the National Coach of the Year Award. The winner will be announced tomorrow.
Players Mentioned
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