FRANCESCATTO NABS AVCA REGIONAL HONORS
12-7-05

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University junior Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil/ Arizona Western College) (pictured) earned an honorable mention nod on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All East Region Team, the organization announced.

Francescatto is the first VCU player ever to receive AVCA recognition. The 5-11 outside hitter joined Hofstra’s Shellane Ogoshi, who also earned honorable mention, as the only Colonial Athletic Association players to be recognized.

In leading the Rams to arguably their most successful season ever, Francescatto racked up one of the school’s most prolific individual campaigns.

A First Team All-CAA selection, her 417 kills, as well as her 3.45 per game average, rank third in the program’s single-season list. Additionally, Francescatto led VCU and was second in the conference with 54 aces (0.45 per game), booked 63 total blocks and ranked second on the team with 3.10 digs per game.

Francescatto also had a flair for the dramatic, summoning her best performances when the Black and Gold needed it most.

Her 26 kill,15 dig performance in the CAA Tournament Championship match against Towson propelled VCU to a 3-2 victory, its first in school history. She was named MVP of the tournament, and the Rams earned their first bid into the NCAA Tournament. She followed on Dec. 2 with 14 kills and nine digs as VCU battled with 21 st-ranked Purdue in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Moreover, after the Rams suffered through a 6-21 season in 2004, Francescatto ushered in a new era in the season opener with 20 kills, 17 digs, three aces and three blocks en route to a 3-1 victory over traditional power Pacific.

This is not the first time Francescatto has received major honors. Prior to her arrival in Richmond this season, she was a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association Division I All-American at Arizona Western College.