Cmaylo Becomes SCU Volleyball's First Three-Time All-American

Posted: Dec 17, 2008

Dec. 17, 2008

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara volleyball senior middle blocker Anna Cmaylo earned her third career All-America honor this week as she was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Third Team, it was announced Wednesday. Cmaylo is the only Bronco to receive All-America honors three times (2005, 2006, 2008).

"This is a really amazing honor," said Cmaylo. "I'm so happy to have been recognized for a third time. Coming back from my injury, my goal for the year was to help my team get better. I have to thank my coaches for their support and the opportunities they have afforded me, and my teammates for making my all my seasons in a Bronco uniform memorable ones. This is such a great way to cap off my senior year."

The Napa, Calif., native was named to the AVCA All-Pacific Region team for the third time last week and was an All-West Coast Conference First team selection. Representing the WCC, Cmaylo is joined by Pepperdine's Julie Rubenstein, who was also named to the third team, and San Diego's Amy DeGroot, who received honorable mention.

She becomes just the fifth Bronco in Santa Clara history to earn three All-America honors as men's soccer standout Ryan Cochrane '03, and women's soccer stars Jennifer Lalor '96, Danielle Slaton '00, and Aly Wagner '02 have all received the honor three times as well.

Cmaylo made a triumphant return to the court this season after sitting out the 2007 season as she recovered from shoulder surgery. The 6-foot-4 middle blocker led the Broncos with 106 blocks and a 37.6 hitting percentage. She shattered Santa Clara's 15-year-old career block assists record this season and set the new mark at 399. For her efforts, Cmaylo was twice named the WCC's Player of the Week (Sept. 22 and Oct. 6). In the league, she finished the year ranked second in blocks, third in hitting percentage, eighth in points, and ninth in aces and kills.

In the Santa Clara career record books Cmaylo ranks No. 1 in block assists (399); No. 2 in Hitting PCT (.365); No. 3 in total blocks (449); No. 3 in block average (1.12); No. 9 in kills (1,247); and No. 9 in kill average (3.11 k/s).

The political science major was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII third team earlier season as she has a 3.42 grade-point average. Off the court, Cmaylo serves as president of Santa Clara's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is actively involved with community service efforts. Last season, despite not being on the court, she helped her fellow Broncos raise over $3,000 for "Dig For The Cure," a national fundraiser benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cmaylo first earned All-America honors in 2005 as she helped the Broncos to their first Final Four appearance. That season, she was also named to the third team. In 2006, Cmaylo picked up her second honor as she was named an honorable mention by the AVCA. As of Dec. 14, the quick hitter ranks No. 24 nationally in hitting percentage (.376), No. 86 in blocks per set (1.07) and No. 271 in kills per set (2.98).

The Broncos end the 2008 season with an 18-10 overall record. Santa Clara made its 14th NCAA Tournament appearance and reached the second round for the fourth time in program history. SCU was one of five West Coast Conference teams selected to advance to the postseason and the only team to advance to the second round.