LEXINGTON, Ky. – Illinois State volleyball's Courtney Pence and Stef Jankiewicz were recognized Tuesday as American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-North Region selections. Pence landed a spot on the first team for the second-consecutive year, while Jankiewicz was given an honorable mention honor.
"Courtney and Stef are very deserving of this recognition by the AVCA," head coach Leah Johnson said. "Courtney helped guide our defense that held our opponents to a .162 hitting percentage, while Stef helped six of our hitters average at least two kills a set this season. We are proud of Courtney's accomplishments over her last four years, and we are excited to see what heights Stef can reach next."
Pence, a senior from Springfield, Illinois, becomes the third Redbird to earn a spot on the All-Region First Team at least twice in her career, joining standouts Kendra Haselhorst – who was a four-time first-team selection – and Jaelyn Keene. The 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Libero of the Year broke the Valley all-time digs mark on Nov. 9 at Loyola Chicago, finishing her career fourth overall in NCAA Division I volleyball with 2,778 digs. She ranks second among all Division I volleyball players in digs per set (6.04) this season, while collecting the eighth most total digs (695) across the nation.
Jankiewicz, a sophomore from Farmington Hills, Michigan, became the second Redbird in program history to be named the MVC's Setter of the Year after a successful 2018 campaign. She was named to three all-tournament teams during non-conference play, while helping set up an Illinois State offense that hit at a .250 clip this season. The setter dished out 1,301 assists, turning in the 15th-best assists per set average (11.31) in all of NCAA Division I. Jankiewicz's career total of 2,750 assists pushed her into ninth all-time in the Redbird volleyball record books, becoming the second-fastest setter in program history to reach the top 10 behind Erin Lindsey.
Both Pence and Jankiewicz are now eligible for AVCA All-America honors.
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