wcraft | Posted: 26 Apr 2012 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020

Sander & Tavana Named All-Americans

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LEXINGTON, Ky. - Senior Futi Tavana and sophomore Taylor Sander were named to the AVCA All-America First Team, as announced today by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

Sander, a 6-4 outside hitter, once again proved to be one of the top offensive players in the country, placing him second nationally with a .400 attack percentage and 4.80 kills per set. The All-MPSF First Teamer also led the conference with 5.71 points per set. In just his second year, Sander already has two AVCA All-America First Team appearances. 

Tavana, a 6-8 middle blocker, is the career blocks leader in BYU's rally scoring era and his 1.60 blocks per set places him second in the country and MPSF. Tavana was also named to the All-MPSF First Team. The Samoa native is a three-time AVCA All-American. 

The University of Southern California led the way with four athletes named to the All-America teams and freshman Micah Christenson named Newcomer of the Year. UCLA and Stanford were each awarded three honors, and UC Irvine and Lewis were nominated for two. 

AVCA Division I-II All-America First Team
Player School Pos Yr Hometown
Thomas Amberg UCLA MB SR El Cajon, CA
Kyle Caldwell UCLA S SR Newport Beach, CA
Tony Ciarelli USC OH SR Huntington Beach, CA
Carson Clark UCI OP SR Santa Barbara, CA
Brad Lawson Stanford OH SR Honolulu, HI
Taylor Sander BYU OH SO Huntington Beach, CA
Shawn Sangrey Ohio State OPP SR Columbia, Pennsylvania
Erik Shoji Stanford L SR Honolulu, Hawaii
Futi Tavana BYU MB SR Saipipi, Samoa
Kevin Tillie UCI OH JR Cangus-sur Mer, France
AVCA Division I-II All-America Second Team
Player School Pos Yr Hometown
Evan Barry Stanford S SR San Diego, CA
BJ Boldog Lewis S SO Palatine, Illinois
Henry Cassiday USC L SO Honolulu, HI
Micah Christenson USC S FR Honolulu, HI
Weston Dunlap UCLA MB SR Newport Beach, CA
Jay Petty Lewis OH JR Downers Grove, Illinois
Steven Shandrick USC MB SR Lake Forest, CA
Joseph Smaizer Loyola-Chicago OPP SO Palos Heights, Illinois
Joe Sunder Penn State OH SR Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Maurice Torres Pepperdine OPP JR Riverside, CA