Simpson Named Second-Team All-American
December 13, 2006 | Volleyball
Jackie Simpson, a junior on the University of Wisconsin volleyball team, has been named a second-team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, the group announced today. Simpson earns her first All-America honor and becomes the 12th All-American in Badger volleyball history.
'We're very excited for Jackie to have earned this honor,' said UW coach Pete Waite. 'She really earned the respect of the coaches in the Big Ten and nationally for what she did this season.
'In her position, Jackie relies on her passers to give her good balls and for her hitters to put the ball away. Her receiving this award really says a lot for our whole team.'
Simpson, a 6-0 setter, was named to the 2006 All-Big Ten Conference team and AVCA All-Mideast Region team. She was named the AVCA National Player of the Week and the Big Ten Player of the Week after setting the Badgers to wins over then-No. 2 Penn State and then-No. 24 Ohio State on Oct. 27 and Oct. 29, respectively. Simpson also earned all-tournament honors at the UWM Panther Invitational and San Diego Invitational this season.
The Downers Grove, Ill., native ranked sixth in the Big Ten with 12.85 assists per game. Simpson finished third on the UW team with 0.91 blocks per game. She tallied career bests of 2.04 digs, 1.04 kills and 0.13 service aces per game this season. Simpson tied her career best with two aces three times this season and also had a career-high 14 digs at Minnesota on Oct. 18.
Wisconsin finished the 2006 season with a 26-7 record, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. The Badgers were also third in the Big Ten at 16-4.
Freshman Brittney Dolgner received honorable mention All-America honors after being named the AVCA All-Mideast Region team.
