Dec. 5, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara volleyball setter Crystal Matich was honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Wednesday as they allowed its All-Region teams. The senior became a two-time All-Pacific honoree after helping guide the Broncos to a 19-12 overall record and their fifth West Coast Conference title with an 11-3 record.
The Santa Rosa, Calif., native, who also received WCC Player of the Year accolades in November, compiled a team-best .331 hitting percentage (129-38-275) and led Santa Clara in assists, averaging 13.29 per game. That mark also placed Matich on top of the league standings in assists per game this season. Matich also registered 33 service aces, 49 total blocks and 2.21 digs per game.
As of Dec. 2 on the national stage, Matich is ranked 16th overall in assists per game, which places Santa Clara as a team at No. 14 in the nation in that same category.
The Broncos advanced to the first round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament after receiving the WCC's automatic bid. Santa Clara played an intense match against the No. 1 seeded Stanford Cardinal but fell in the hard-fought battle, 3-0. It was the Broncos 10th consecutive trip to the Big Dance and the ninth time under the direction of the 2007 WCC Coach of the Year, Jon Wallace.
