WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Middle blocker Faye Adelaja and outside hitter Danielle Cuttino are eligible for All-America honors for the second straight year after garnering AVCA All-Northeast Region accolades Tuesday. Each earned Honorable Mention All-America acclaim in 2015 after being named to the all-region first team.
The pair of honorees marks the fourth-straight year that the Boilermakers have had two or more honorees and extends Purdue's streak of at least one all-region selection to seven years. Since 2004, Purdue has boasted 23 all-region selections, including two or more seven times.
Cuttino is the first Boilermaker to earn all-region honors at two different positions, doing so as a middle blocker in 2015 and at outside hitter in 2016. The unanimous All-Big Ten selection ranks 14th nationally in total kills, 16th in total points (579.0), 39th in kills per set (4.11) and 55th in points per set. The Indianapolis native paced the Purdue attack with 4.11 kills per set, while hitting at a .272 clip. She tallied double-digit kills in all but one match, including 20 or more seven times, and led the team offensively 27 times. Cuttino hit at a .250 or better clip 19 times in 33 matches, including .300 or better 14 times and .400 or better six times. She hit at a season-best .613 clip in the NCAA First Round against Iowa State. The Big Ten Player of the Week and ESPNW Player of the Week on Sept. 12, Cuttino put up 0.60 blocks per set, including five or more three times and a team-best tally six times. She also chipped in 64 digs, including a career-best six twice. Among Big Ten players, Cuttino ranked third in kills per set (4.11) in overall matches and third in conference play (4.02).
Adelaja follows up honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades with her second straight all-region nod after leading the Boilermakers in offensive efficiency, hitting at a .367 clip, which ranks 35th nationally, tied for third in the Big Ten and fifth on Purdue's all-time season listing. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native tallied 2.26 kills per set, ranking third on the team, while posting double-digit kills in 13 matches. She pounded down a career-best 21 kills at No. 3 Wisconsin, while leading the team on two occasions. The model of efficiency, Adelaja hit at a .300 or better clip in 18 of her 30 matches, including .400 or better 14 times and .500 or better seven times. At the net, she put up 0.85 blocks per set, including five or more stuffs on 11 occasions and a team-leading tally 17 times. The redshirt senior earned her spot in the career Top 10 for block assists at eighth with 341. She ended her career just one block out of the total blocks Top 10 (395). Adelaja is one of just 12 players in Purdue history with 700 kills and 350 blocks to her name. In conference play, Adelaja hit at a .345 clip, good for fifth among league players.
Both Adelaja and Cuttino will now be on the ballot for AVCA All-America honors, which will be announced Dec. 14. Purdue has had at least one All-America honoree each of the last six years.