Colorado University Athletics
GERLACH EARNS HONORABLE MENTION TO AVCA ALL-AMERICA TEAM
BOULDER - University of Colorado senior Monique Gerlach received honorable mention to the 2003 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America team, the AVCA announced on Wednesday.
Gerlach, a 5-11 middle blocker from Monarch Beach, Calif., is the first Buffalo volleyball player to be recognized by the AVCA All-America program and just the third to earn All-America honors of any kind. Kelly Campbell was a Volleyball Magazine second-team All-American in 1999, a third team member in 1998 and a Freshman All-American in 1996. Tina Murray earned honorable mention to the Volleyball Magazine All-America squad in 1989. The AVCA added the honorable mention category to the three All-America teams for the first time this season.
CU’s team captain in 2003, Gerlach was also named to the All-Big 12 Conference and AVCA All-Central Region teams for the second straight year. She recorded team-season highs in kills (376), hitting percentage (.320) and blocking (0.84 bpg), leading the Buffs to a 21-10 overall record and a third place finish in the Big 12 at 13-7.
Gerlach finished her CU career ranked second in hitting (.328), fourth in kills (1,427), fifth in blocks (352), seventh in attacks (3,012) and eighth in service aces on the Buffs’ all-time charts. CU advanced to the 2003 NCAA Tournament for the 12th time in the last 13 seasons, losing in three games to the University of Michigan on Dec. 5 in Berkeley, Calif.