Yaxley, Robinson named AVCA All-Americans

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The awards keep rolling in for University of La Verne volleyball duo Brittany Yaxley and Kelsi Robinson.

Outside hitter Yaxley was named an American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Third Team All-American and middle blocker Robinson was tabbed an Honorable Mention on Wednesday after an outstanding season in which they led La Verne to its 25^th NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship appearance.

CLICK: 2014 AVCA All-Americans

Yaxley and Robinson also earned First Team All-SCIAC and All-Region honors in the past two weeks.

Yaxley was La Verne's go-to hitter throughout the season and was a huge threat at the service line. The 5-foot-10 junior ranked seventh in the nation in points per set with 5.18 and 18^th in kills per set with 4.22.

In La Verne's seven games against nationally ranked opponents, the Glendora native averaged 3.59 kills and 2.63 digs per set, including a 16-kill, nine-dig performance against No. 21 Trinity (Texas) in the first round of the NCAA National Championship.

Robinson's emerged as one of the best blockers in the country. The sophomore finished fourth in the nation in blocks per set with 1.34. She broke through on the offensive side as well, as she averaged 2.53 kills per set on .297 hitting.

If the past couple years have been any indication, Yaxley and Robinson should be even better next season. And with the Leopards returning all of their top five hitters from last season, team assists leader Tiffany Mancuso and emerging underclassmen, the Leopards should be aiming high in 2015.