Two Pierce College women’s volleyball players made All-American teams, and Coach Nabil Mardini was named Southern Regional Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for 2012.
Sophomore outside hitter Danetta Boykin won 1st Team All-American, chosen from about 85 community college teams.
“It feels great. It’s a great accomplishment for outside hitters,” Boykin said. “If we go 30-0 again, I’m going to lose myself.”
Boykin was also named Conference Most Valuable Player this year.
Sophomore outside hitter Sakurako Fujii won 2nd Team All-American, a goal for the Japanese exchange student, Fujii said.
Along with teammate Janelle Futch, the two girls also made 1st Team All Conference.
Chosen by a panel of coaches, the players are selected based on their performances, stats and ranks, Mardini said.
“When your team is undefeated, they take that into consideration,” Mardini said.
This is the second time Mardini was selected for Coach of the Year, and he won by unanimous vote, Mardini said.
“It’s always nice to e acknowledged by your fellow coaches,” Mardini said. “But the girls help out a lot.”
“The teams that he has coached come out strong and determined,” freshman middle blocker Kaitlyn Reiner said.
“He’s a hard-working man, and his hard work is paying off. He deserves it,” Boykin said.
“In the end, it’s the championship or bust,” Mardini said.
