1/7/02

Topic, Howden named to Freshmen All-America Team

AUSTIN, Texas -- Freshmen outside hitter Mira Topic (Kambelovac, Croatia/Vladimir Nazor) and middle blocker Bethany Howden (Austin, Texas/Westlake) were named to the ASICS/Volleyball Magazine Freshmen All-America Team as they were instrumental in helping The University of Texas volleyball team to a 17-14 record overall and a return to the NCAA Championship Tournament following a one-year absence. The freshmen duo also combined for 1,000 kills on the season; the most by any two UT freshmen in a single year.

"We are extremely excited for both Mira and Bethany," said head coach Jerritt Elliott. "They are building blocks for the future of Texas Volleyball and will be important pieces in returning this program to national prominence."

Topic was selected as the America Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Central Region Freshman of the Year, the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year and a first team All-Conference honoree. The 6-2 outside hitter led the Longhorns in kills (4.81), digs (3.13) and service aces (60).  In her first season at UT, Topic paced the team in kills with 534; the most by any Texas freshman since Demetria Sance's 565 in 1995, to place second on the school single-season list. She also finished the year ranked second on the single-season charts for attacks (1,301) and sixth in service aces. She posted 20 or more kills in 10 matches this year, including 35 kills against Texas Tech which set a Texas record for kills in a match. Topic also led the team with 19 double-doubles, finishing with double-digit kills in 29 of the 31 matches and double-digit digs in 20 of 31 matches. As of Nov. 25, Topic was ranked No. 21 in the nation in kills per game with an average of 4.76. She also ranked among the top 10 Big 12 performers in kills per game and service aces.

Meanwhile, Howden garnered All-Big 12 honorable mention honors as she led the Longhorns in hitting percentage (.356) and blocks (153). Howden became the first UT freshman to collect over 400 kills and 100 blocks in one season and the second Longhorns player to accomplish the feat since Erin Aldrich posted 470 kills and 174 blocks in 1999. In 22 of the 31 matches, Howden recorded a .300 or better hitting percentage, including two matches at .600, and completed the year ranked among the top 10 in UT's individual single-season records for hitting percentage (5th), block assists (6th) and kills (8th). The Austin, Texas native also ranked among the top 10 Big 12 performers in hitting percentage, kills per game and blocks per game.

2001 ASICS/Volleyball Magazine Division I All-American Team
ALL FRESHMEN TEAM

Name / School
Kaeo Burdine / Southern California
Jessica Diepersloot / Cal Poly
Stacey Gordon / Ohio State
Bethany Howden / Texas
Sheila Ocasio-Clemente / UNLV
Mira Topic / Texas