BOULDER ? University of Colorado senior setter Ashley Nu’u has been named to the 2006 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America third team, announced today by the (AVCA). Each team is comprised of 12 athletes.
Nu’u becomes just the fifth Buff to earn All-America recognition and just the first to be named to the first, second or third AVCA All-America teams. She joins Kelly Campbell, (1996-99) another standout setter from CU, to be named to a second or third team. Campbell was a Volleyball Magazine third team selection in 1998 and a second team member in 1999, along with being named to the freshman team in 1996. Three Buffs have been honorable mention selections. Allie Griffin in 2004 and 05, Monique Gerlach in 2003 (both AVCA) and Tina Murray in 1989 (Volleyball Magazine).
Nu’u, a 5-10, Aurora, Colo., native, was named an AVCA All-Central Region selection earlier this year. She was named to the All-Big 12 First Team. Nu’u was named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I National Player of the Week (11/13), the Big 12 Volleyball Player of the Week (11/13) and the CU Athlete of the Week (11/14) after leading the Buffs to an upset of top-ranked Nebraska, all in 2006. It was the first time CU has ever defeated a top-ranked opponent in 21 years and CU remains as the only team to knock off the Huskers this season. Nu’u has been named CU Athlete of the Week three times this season and was named the Colorado Invitational Tournament MVP.
Nu’u was an AVCA All-Central Region honorable mention selection in 2005, an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection in 2004 and 05 and was the 2003 Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year. In four years, she worked her way up to third on Colorado’s all-time career assists chart with 4,315 assists. She passed out 1,352 this season to average 12.52 per game, which ranked fifth in the Big 12. Nu’u also recorded 120 kills, 14 aces, 179 digs, 64 blocks and hit .348 in 108 games.
With 74 assists against Kansas State on Nov. 1, Nu’u recorded the 13th highest total by any CU setter, third to Kelly Campell (1996-99) and Nicole Vranesh (1990-93). She also dished out all of CU’s 65 assists against Nebraska (11/11) which is the first time since a CU setter has handed out all of the Buff’s assists since Nov. 3, 1999 when Kelly Campbell recorded all 58 assists against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas in five games.
She will leave her name in several categories in the CU record book. She ranks 14th in career blocks (243), 30th in career kills (541) and 35th in career digs (573). On the single season chart, she ranks 7th (1,448, 2005), 10th (1,352, 10th) and 14th (1,146, 2004) in assists. In her four years, Nu’u recorded 408 kills, 41 aces, 573 digs, 243 blocks, 591 points and hit .330.
Colorado finished the 2006 season at 17-12 overall, its 19th straight season with a record of .500 or better. The Buffs finished 12-8 in the Big 12 and tied for fourth, their best finish in since 2003 with they tied for third. The Buffs also advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 16th time in school history and 15th in the past 16 years. CU made it out of the first round for the first time since 2001 with a win over #19 New Mexico State, before falling to #3 Washington in the second round.
--COLORADO VOLLEYBALL--
