The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team was well represented on the NJCAA Division I All-American team that was released recently.

                The Cougars, who finished with a 42-5 record and a runner-up finish at the national tournament this past season, were represented by First Team selections Fabiana Andrade, a sophomore setter, and Jady Gerotto, a 6-foot-0 middle hitter. Both are from Brazil.

                WNCC's Barbara Rabanal-Briceño, a 5-10 freshman from Peru, garnered Second Team honors.

                It is the fourth time in school history that three Cougars have been selected as All-Americans. The last time was 2008 when Fatima Balza and Nayka Benitez were first team and Kaleinani Kabalis earned second team honors. WNCC also had three selections in 2007 and 2006.

                WNCC second year head coach Binny Canales said it is an honor for the program to be recognized nationally.

                "I think it is wonderful for the program," Canales said. "It really speaks for how hard they work and talent. This is a very special team and I feel honored to have coached these ladies and I know they will go far in the future. I expect a strong team next year with two All-Americans returning and we expect good things from Fabi wherever she ends up."

                The three had excellent years but the Cougar team was one of balance as well with a number of players having standout matches throughout the year.

                "I think all three players made each other better and it speaks a lot for their teammates who made them better," Canales said. "Someone had to pass the ball and from there Fabi did a good job of setting. Jady and Barbara did incredible jobs attacking and Barbara passing. Jady is probably one of the better blockers in the nation and we are excited and very proud of them."

                Andrade finished her volleyball career with 3,165 set assists in two seasons, including registering over 1,800 this past fall. She also tallied 94 kills, 60 aces, 408 digs, and 32 blocks this last season.

                Gerotto had a good freshman campaign, appearing in 152 sets and knocking down 393 kills with a hitting efficiency of .452. She also had 45 ace serves with 47 solo blocks and 42 assist blocks. Gerotto had 20 double-figure blocks this past season, including nine in the last 10 matches.

                Rabanal-Briceño also had a big freshman campaign. Rabanal-Briceño appeared in 46 matches and 168 games, recording a team-high 575 kills. She averaged 3.42 per game with a hitting efficiency of .281. She also tallied 45 assists, 57 ace serves, 446 digs, and 55 blocks. Rabanal-Briceño had 31 double figure kill matches, including a season best 30 against Cloud County Community College on Sept. 11.

                Rabanal-Briceño also had 20 double doubles in kills and digs. The freshman outside hitter finished the national tournament with 68 kills and 50 digs. Rabanal-Briceño will enter next season on a nine match streak of double-digit kills.

                "They all had amazing seasons and they all carried us during different parts of the season," Canales said. "I am very proud of all of them."

                Region IX volleyball was well-represented on the all-American team. Besides WNCC, Northwest College, who the Cougars beat in the semifinals at the national tournament, also had three All-Americans with Aleksandra Djordjevic and Teodora Tepavac, both sophomores, earning first team honors and Lauga Gauta, a freshman, earning honorable mention.

                Western Wyoming's Alexa Goulding was the other Region IX player making the list, receiving honorable mention honors.