FRANCESCATTO NAMED TO CAA FIRST TEAM FOR SECOND TIME
11-16-06

HEMPSTEAD , N.Y. – Virginia Commonwealth University senior outside hitter Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil/ Arizona Western College) was named to the Colonial Athletic Association’s First Team for the second straight year Thursday at the league’s annual banquet.

This season Francescatto has been a force in the CAA, leading the conference in points per game (5.18) while ranking second in kills (4.52). She leads the Rams this year with 36 service aces and has 53 blocks. Francescatto is the first VCU player to receive two All-CAA First Team citations.

“We’re really excited for her success,” VCU Head Coach James Finley said. “She’s the kind of player that anybody in the country would want on their team. She’s the kind of player that gives other teams fits. Other teams spend a long time preparing for her and she still gets her kills. VCU’s been fortunate to have a player of her caliber.”

Additionally, Francescatto has spent the season moving up in the Black and Gold record books. Her 457 kills this season rank third in school history, while her career total of 874 kills in just two seasons is fourth on VCU’s career list. Francescatto trails Shannon McMeekin by just four kills on the Rams’ single-season list and needs to reach 513 kills to catch Jonnie Stone.

2006 ALL-CAA VOLLEYBALL TEAM
(Selected by CAA Volleyball Coaches)
All-CAA First Team
Player, School Cl. Pos. Hometown/Previous School
Elizabeth Curley, Hofstra Sr. MB Centerville, Mass./ Barnstable
Ludmila Francescatto, VCU* Sr. OH Fraiburga, Brazil/ Arizona Western
Kelly Gibson, Delaware*** So. OH Taos , N.M./Taos
Christina Grempler, Towson** Sr. MB Severna Park, Md./ Severna Park
Allyson Halls, James Madison** Jr. MB Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy
Shellane Ogoshi, Hofstra* Jr. S Honolulu, Hawaii/ Roosevelt
Jena Pierson, James Madison Jr. L San Antonio, Texas/James Madison HS

All-CAA Second Team
Player, School Cl. Pos. Hometown/Previous School
Kira Batura, Northeastern Jr. L/OH Downers Grove, Ill./ Downers Grove South
Jaqueline Kohler, George Mason Jr. OH Curitiba, Brazil/Colegio Expoente
Lauren Miles, James Madison So. S Tampa, Fla./ Tampa Prep
Beverly Rivera, Hofstra Sr. OH Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach
Kimberly Snider, Towson** Jr. S Carrollton, Texas/ Hebron
Colleen Walsh, Delaware** Jr. OH Cleveland, Ohio/ Regina

CAA Player of the Year: Elizabeth Curley, Hofstra

CAA Setter of the Year: Shellane Ogoshi, Hofstra

CAA Defensive Specialist of the Year: Jena Pierson, James Madison

CAA Rookie of the Year: Alysha Fanning, Towson

CAA Coach of the Year: Disa Garner, James Madison

*First Team All-CAA in 2005
**Second Team All-CAA in 2005
***All-Rookie Team in 2005

All-Rookie Team
Player, School Cl. Pos. Hometown/Previous School
Noelle Boyd, Georgia State Fr. S Alrington, Texas/Martin
Katie Corcoran, George Mason Fr. S Allentown, Pa./ Allentown Central Catholic
Alysha Fanning, Towson Fr. MB Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson
Michelle LaLonde, Delaware Fr. MH Wooster, Ohio/ Wooster
Kelly Matthias, Delaware Fr. MH Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown
Paula McConnell, UNC Wilmington Fr. MB Parker, Colo./Ponderosa
Kaitlin McFaddin, James Madison Fr. OH Natural Bridge Station, Va./Rockbridge
Rebecca Walter, George Mason Fr. OH Monbulk , Victoria, Australia/ Monbulk College HS