MADISON, Wis. – Five members of the Wisconsin volleyball team were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Northeast All-Region team, as announced by the organization on Tuesday. Head coach Kelly Sheffield was also named the Northeast Regional Coach of the Year, his second honor at Wisconsin and the fourth of his career.

 

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Senior Lauren Carlini earned her fourth-straight all-region honor, while senior Haleigh Nelson became a three-time all-region pick. Sophomore Tionna Williams was recognized with her first all-region award after being named the regional freshman of the year in 2015. Molly Haggerty became the second-straight Badger to be named regional freshman of the year, while also earning all-region honors. Fifth-year senior Romana Kriskova was awarded honorable mention all-region honors.

A 6-2 setter, Carlini became just the second Badger to earn four all-region honors. The senior leads the Big Ten Conference and ranks third nationally with 11.80 assists per set this season. A four-time All-Big Ten selection, Carlini also leads the conference with 17 double-doubles this year.

Nelson earned her third-straight all-region honors and became one of only three players in UW history to earn three-or-more honors. The 6-4 middle blocker ranks second in the Big Ten and 20th nationally with a .389 hitting percentage. Nelson, who is a two-time All-Big Ten pick, also ranks second on the team with 1.13 blocks per set.

After being named the 2015 AVCA Northeast Regional Freshman of the Year, Williams earned her first all-region award this season. The 6-2 middle blocker leads Wisconsin with 1.27 blocks per set, which ranks sixth in the Big Ten. She was also a 2016 All-Big Ten honoree.

The 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Haggerty is the third Badger to be named regional freshman of the year, following teammates Carlini (2013) and Williams (2015). The 6-1 outside hitter leads Wisconsin with 3.45 kills per set this season.

Kriskova ranks fifth for UW with 2.26 kills per set, playing in all 31 matches this season. The 5-2 right-side hitter earned AVCA All-East Region honors in 2013 while she was at VCU.

For the first time since 2000, Wisconsin (27-4) will host an NCAA volleyball regional. The third-seeded Badgers host No. 6-seed Stanford (23-7), Ohio State (22-12) and Florida State (26-5) in regional action on Friday and Saturday at the UW Field House. Wisconsin and Big Ten foe Ohio State open play on Friday at 1 p.m. CT in the first regional semifinal, which will air live on ESPNU. Stanford and Florida State face off in the second semifinal at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN3.

Semifinal winners advance to Saturday's regional final at 5 p.m. on ESPNU, with the victor advancing to the NCAA championship semifinals on Dec. 15 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

AVCA All-Northeast Region
 

First Name	Last Name	School	Pos.	Year
Faye	Adelaja**	Purdue	MB	Sr.
Ali	Bastianelli	Illinois	MB	So.
Lauren	Carlini****	Wisconsin	S	Sr.
Danielle	Cuttino**	Purdue	OH	Jr.
Madeline	Garda	Bowling Green	L	Sr.
Molly	Haggerty	Wisconsin	OH	Fr.
Grace	Kauth	Cleveland State	OH	Sr.
Simone	Lee	Penn State	OH	Jr.
Haleigh	Nelson***	Wisconsin	MB	Sr.
Jordyn	Poulter	Illinois	S	So.
Taylor	Sandbothe***	Ohio State	MB	Sr.
Jelena	Sunjic	Bowling Green	RS	Sr.
Haleigh	Washington**	Penn State	MB	Jr.
Tionna	Williams	Wisconsin	MB	So.

Honorable Mention

First Name	Last Name	School	Pos.	Year
Brandi	Donnelly	Illinois	L	Jr.
Ali	Frantti	Penn State	OH	Jr.
Taylor	Hughes	Ohio State	S/H	So.
Romana	Kriskova	Wisconsin	RS	Sr.
Cara	Mattaliano	Princeton	OH	Sr.
Katie	Tomasic	Miami (Ohio)	RS	Jr.

Freshman of the Year: Molly Haggerty, Wisconsin, OH
Coach of the Year: Kelly Sheffield, Wisconsin