UAA's Birtcil, Allen earn All-GNAC nods
by Green & Gold News |
Portland, Ore. (Nov. 26) – After helping their team to a strong finish, ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ Anchorage volleyball players Katie Birtcil and Tia Allen were recognized Monday as members of the 2024 All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference Team, as voted by the league’s 10 head coaches.
Birtcil was a First Team selection, while Allen earned honorable mention honors.
A senior outside hitter, Birtcil led a balanced UAA offense with 2.92 points per set and ranked 13th in the league with 3.04 digs per set, producing seven double-doubles. The New Mexico State grad transfer helped the Seawolves (16-12, 10-8/5th GNAC) finish with six wins in their last eight matches, producing 15 kills on .318 hitting and a season-high 23 digs in a 3-2 road win over Northwest Nazarene, and 13 kills and 13 digs in a sweep of NCAA Tournament qualifier Simon Fraser. The Tucson, Ariz., native finished her collegiate career with 1,087 kills.
A junior outside hitter, Allen picked up honorable mention accolades for the second time, along with a 2022 award from her time at Saint Martin’s. After sitting out a year due to GNAC transfer regulations, Allen led UAA and ranked 20th in the GNAC with 2.35 kills per set, tallying a team-best eight double-doubles. The Clayton, Wash., native was also 13th in the league with 2.98 digs per set, boosted by huge efforts of 13 kills/19 digs at Northwest Nazarene, and 12 kills/16 digs in a road win over Seattle Pacific.