The accolades keep rolling in for Simon Fraser University women’s volleyball libero Alison McKay.
On Wednesday, the senior was named a 2016 American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Div. 2 Third-Team All-American, and an honourable mention to the D2CCA All-America team, both firsts for McKay and the SFU Clan volleyball program. It came on the heels of being chosen as the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive season.
“I’ve grown a lot both as a person and a player,” said McKay of her four-year career with the Clan. “To take on the role I did this season, it was definitely rewarding being recognized for the work that I put in. It’s a pretty exciting thing to be a part of.”
In leading the Clan to a best-ever 21-8 record and first-ever NCAA Div. 2 tournament appearance, McKay was a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball this season. When the Port Moody native was on the floor, opponents were held to just a 0.157 hitting percentage, as the senior accounted for an average of 6.57 digs per set, the highest total in the GNAC and fourth overall in NCAA Div. 2.
“It’s always nice to see our players get recognized, especially on the national stage,” said SFU coach Gina Schmidt. “There are a lot of great players in the NCAA, and Aly certainly belongs among that top-level calibre of player.”
Making the feat all the more impressive is the sheer volume of quality players McKay beat out for the honour. From 315 NCAA Div. 2 programs, just two liberos were named – Emily Tripp of Arkansas Fort-Smith, and McKay – to the AVCA All-American teams.
“She certainly has been the backbone of our defence since she arrived four years ago, and our defense has been one of our defining characteristics in those years. She’s been incredibly important as a stabilizing presence back there,” added Schmidt.
Though she was first, McKay definitely doesn’t see herself as the last All-American for a Clan team on the rise.
SFU enjoyed its best year on the NCAA Div. 2 court but fell to the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders in the first round of the West Regional playoff.
