ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – For the sixth time in program history, the UCF volleyball team had multiple student-athletes garner All-America honors. On Wednesday, senior Jordan Pingel and freshman McKenna Melville were named All-America Honorable Mention by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
The two were the ninth and 10th All-Americans in program history. UCF has had a student-athlete selected All-America in five of the last eight seasons.
“The entire UCF volleyball family congratulates Jordan and McKenna on this outstanding athletic award,” head coach Todd Dagenais said. “Both played such critical roles in our historic season. It’s nice to see them honored at the highest level among their peers nationwide as a result. I’m thrilled Jordan was able to receive this honor in her final year, and I look forward to things Mckenna will be able to achieve in the coming years”
Pingel was the heart of the Knights this season. On top of a record-breaking year, Pingel constantly instilled a sense of calm and focus in a squad that featured just three upperclassmen. On the court, the lone senior on the 2018 team was a rock at the back. Pingel broke the single-season record for digs and digs per set with 597 and 5.10, respectively. She recorded at least 20 digs in 17 matches this year.
The Colorado Springs, Colo., native was a thorn in the side of AVCA Top-50 teams’ attacks. In seven matches against those teams, Pingel totaled 125 digs for a 4.46 per set tally, including four matches with more than 20 saves. The Knights held opponents below .200 hitting in three of those contests.
Pingel’s stellar senior season led her to break the career digs record, becoming the first player in program history to surpass the 2,000-career saves mark, as she finished with 2,262 and a 4.72 digs per set.
Melville had a rookie season for the record books in 2018. The American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year was a force on the outside with a team-high 4.51 kills per set, the second-best tally in The American and 15th in the nation, behind a .246 clip at the net. Melville was also a solid all-around player for the Knights with 3.62 digs per set. In the 31-match season, the Eagan, Minn., native record 22 double-doubles, including a pair of 20-kill, 20-dig outings.
The outside hitter took it to another level against AVCA Top-50 opposition. She hit .249 with 4.36 kills and 3.46 digs per set over the seven matches. She posted double-doubles in five of the seven contests.
The freshman ranked 13th nationally with 529 kills, 15th with 12.24 attacks per set and 1,432 total attacks and 14th with 587.5 points.
Melville and Pingel were instrumental in the historic 2018 season for the Black and Gold. UCF finished the year with a 27-4 record. The Knights became the third team in league history to go undefeated, as the Black and Gold went 18-0 and won the American Athletic Conference Championship. The Knights set a DI record for winning streak at 24 matches
UCF VOLLEYBALL ALL-AMERICANS
Jordan Pingel Honorable Mention 2018
McKenna Melville Honorable Mention 2018
DeLaina Sarden Honorable Mention 2014
Kaye-Alese Green Honorable Mention 2014
Kia Bright Honorable Mention 2014
DeLaina Sarden Honorable Mention 2013
DeLaina Sarden Honorable Mention 2012
Angelica Crump Honorable Mention 2011
Rachel Vukson Honorable Mention 2011
Jenny Frank Honorable Mention 2003
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