WEST LAFAYATTE, Ind. – Purdue volleyball redshirt senior Sherridan Atkinson and redshirt junior Blake Mohler added another accolade to their growing list as the duo was named to the American Volleyball Coaches (AVCA) All-Northeast Region, an honor elected by the region's head coaches, the organization announced Tuesday.
This is the first time Mohler earned the recognition and the second time for Atkinson. The pair of honorees mark the sixth-straight year that the Boilermakers have had two or more honorees and extends Purdue's streak of at least one all-region selection to nine years. Since 2004, Purdue has boasted 26 all-region selections, including two or more nine times.
Following a breakthrough junior season, Atkinson continued to create havoc for opposing defenses in 2018. A unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection this season , she topped the conference with 546 kills on the year, registering a career-best 4.20 kills per set average on 1,388 swings to earn a .296 hitting percentage. Her kill total ranks ninth in the NCAA and is the best performance by a Boilermaker in the last six years.
Pacing Atkinson's offensive effort were nine 20+ kill performances, including a career-high 32 kills against then-No. 4 Penn State. She also posted double-digit kill tallies in all but two of 31 matches this season and was the 17th Boilermaker in Purdue program history to notch 1,000 career kills.
In Big Ten play, Atkinson averaged 4.26 kills per set, third most in the league, while hitting at a .302 clip and adding 22 aces.
After leading Purdue with 0.92 blocks per set a season ago, Mohler continued her success at the net this season, pacing the Boilermakers with 1.08 stuffs per set, while also sitting sixth in the Big Ten with a team-best 0.358 hitting percentage. Her 140 total blocks rank sixth in the league and 43rd in the NCAA. In conference action, she ranked among the top-15 blockers with 0.95 stuffs per set average and was tenth with a .321 attack clip.
The Ocean Springs, Mississippi native started in all 33 matches this season, she also ranked third on the team with 316 kills for a 2.43 kills per set average while adding 46 digs, 10 assists and one service ace on the season. The All-Big Ten First Team selection also took home MVP honors at the Stacey Clark Classic and Alabama's Crimson and White Tournament earlier this year.
Both Atkinson and Mohler will now be on the ballot for the AVCA All-America honors, which will be announced Dec.12. Purdue has had at least one All-America honoree each of the last seven years.
Sherridan and Blake enjoyed great seasons and were true catalysts in @PurdueVB's high level of play this season. It is satisfying to see talented athletes approach their true potential. Our fans love both these Boilermakers! Congratulations to both of you. https://t.co/uRRc49MUq2
— Dave Shondell (@DaveShondell) December 4, 2018
This is the first time Mohler earned the recognition and the second time for Atkinson. The pair of honorees mark the sixth-straight year that the Boilermakers have had two or more honorees and extends Purdue's streak of at least one all-region selection to nine years. Since 2004, Purdue has boasted 26 all-region selections, including two or more nine times.
Following a breakthrough junior season, Atkinson continued to create havoc for opposing defenses in 2018. A unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection this season , she topped the conference with 546 kills on the year, registering a career-best 4.20 kills per set average on 1,388 swings to earn a .296 hitting percentage. Her kill total ranks ninth in the NCAA and is the best performance by a Boilermaker in the last six years.
Pacing Atkinson's offensive effort were nine 20+ kill performances, including a career-high 32 kills against then-No. 4 Penn State. She also posted double-digit kill tallies in all but two of 31 matches this season and was the 17th Boilermaker in Purdue program history to notch 1,000 career kills.
In Big Ten play, Atkinson averaged 4.26 kills per set, third most in the league, while hitting at a .302 clip and adding 22 aces.
After leading Purdue with 0.92 blocks per set a season ago, Mohler continued her success at the net this season, pacing the Boilermakers with 1.08 stuffs per set, while also sitting sixth in the Big Ten with a team-best 0.358 hitting percentage. Her 140 total blocks rank sixth in the league and 43rd in the NCAA. In conference action, she ranked among the top-15 blockers with 0.95 stuffs per set average and was tenth with a .321 attack clip.
The Ocean Springs, Mississippi native started in all 33 matches this season, she also ranked third on the team with 316 kills for a 2.43 kills per set average while adding 46 digs, 10 assists and one service ace on the season. The All-Big Ten First Team selection also took home MVP honors at the Stacey Clark Classic and Alabama's Crimson and White Tournament earlier this year.
Both Atkinson and Mohler will now be on the ballot for the AVCA All-America honors, which will be announced Dec.12. Purdue has had at least one All-America honoree each of the last seven years.
Congratulations to @sherridanatk and @BlakeElizabeth1 on being selected @AVCAVolleyball Northeast Region Honorees! #BoilerUp ???? pic.twitter.com/De2zYThdKT
— Purdue Volleyball (@PurdueVB) December 4, 2018