Malina Terrell Captures First Team Honors; Rebecca Kopilovitch, Vendula Strakova and Valentina Zaloznik Selected to All-Freshmen Team
DONS SOCIAL MEDIA | COMPLETE WCC RELEASE
(San Francisco) – San Francisco volleyball made dramatic strides in 2011 and today the West Coast Conference recognized four student-athletes – all of them underclassmen – with spots on the all-conference teams. Sophomore middle blocker Malina Terrell earned first team honors, freshman middle blocker Valentina Zaloznik earned honorable mention and all-freshman team selection.
Freshman libero Rebecca Kopilovitch and freshman opposite hitter Vendula Strakova also joined Zaloznik on the All-Freshman Team. San Francisco led the league with three all-freshman selections.
"First, I want to say how proud I am of our team improvement this year and we do feel that we have our best volleyball still ahead of us and I am sure this year is just the start of what our team want to continue and build on for next year," USF head coach Gilad Doron said. "The individual recognition of our student-athletes could not have been possible without the help and support of the entire team as well as our assistant coaches, trainer and strength coach. I am very happy for Malina, Becky, Valentina and Vendula for been recognized by the WCC."
Terrell emerged as one of the top middle blockers in the league as a sophomore and was a consistent threat attacking and defensively at the net for the Dons. The Richmond product averaged 2.14 kills per set on a team-high .348 attacking and elevated her game during WCC play, averaging 2.50 kills on .376 hitting. Terrell ranked third among conference leaders in attack percentage in both overall and league matches.
"Malina had a great season following a great spring and summer were she developed her game," Doron said. "She played to prove that she is one of the better hitters in our conference. She was asked to step into a new position and did a great job for us all year."
Zaloznik turned in a strong season at middle blocker for the Dons in her first year of collegiate volleyball, averaging 2.56 kills on .276 hitting with a team-high 1.06 blocks per set. A three-time all-tournament selection, Zaloznik ranked third among league-leaders in blocking.
"Valentina led our team in so many ways this fall," Doron said. "She brought a great personality that was fresh to see from day one. She works extremely hard and is a good student of the game that will try to take advantage of any opportunity to help our team win. She led us in points, blocks, and was second in serving. To see a middle blocker lead the team in points when she is the third-most set player on the team speaks volumes about her efficiency as a player."
Kopilovitch made a big splash for the Dons in her debut season in the back row, averaging a team-best 4.50 digs per set and elevated her game during WCC action, with a remarkable 5.05 digs per set. The Israeli was second among conference digs leaders in both overall and league matches and her 505 digs in 2011 rank sixth in the USF single-season record books.
"Becky had a great year leading our team in digs but the contribution people do not see is how she helped her teammates play better," Doron said. "She brings great attitude and work ethic as well as positive energy each day. She made a ton of plays which changed the momentum and elevated our team's play to the next level."
Strakova made an instant impact as an offensive force in her first season in the Green and Gold and led the team in kills (3.13). A three-time all-tournament pick, Strakova hit .229 for the Dons and ranked fifth among league leaders in kills in both overall and conference (3.10) matches.
"Vendula made an immediate impact on our team early," Doron said. She set a very high standard and led the team in kills. When she was on top of her game, we were a very tough opponent for any team we played."
With a team featuring no seniors and starting six underclassmen, San Francisco closed the season winning three out of its last four contests and finished fifth in the league standings. The Dons (16-13, 8-8 WCC) posted an 11-victory improvement from the 2010 season and a five-win differential in a much-improved WCC.
"I am proud of our team and want to congratulate those who received the special recognition from the WCC," Doron said. "The exciting part for us is that they all have more years to play for the Dons and improve on what they started this fall."
