ORLANDO, Fla. – McKenna Melville and Claudia Dillon were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Southeast team, the AVCA announced on Tuesday. Melville tabbed as Southeast Region Player of the Year and Southeast All-Region. Dillon received Southeast Region Honorable Mention.
The award marks Melville's fifth honor in her five years and Dillon's first career honor. Melville becomes the only Knight in program history to be named Southeast Region Player of the Year, as well as five consecutive years on the All-Region team.
The AVCA Southeast Region is comprised of 42 teams across the American Athletic Conference, the ASUN, Big South, SEC, Southern, SWAC and Sun Belt.
Playing in and starting all 104 sets for the Knights, Melville led UCF to its fifth-straight conference title and NCAA appearance. The Eagan, Minnesota, native dominated offensively with 636 points (6.12 points per set), 573 kills (5.51 per set) and 13 aces this season.
"In the history of UCF volleyball we've never had a region player of the year," said head coach Todd Dagenais. "Those are often taken up by players in SEC. We are so proud of McKenna to be able to break through and receive the Player of the Year award especially after her historic season. We will see where she lands on the All-American team when they are announced next week."
A true six-rotation player, Melville shined defensively as well as she was third on the team in digs with 269 (2.59 per set). The outside hitter also led the Knights in block solos with 13 on the season while she had 75 total blocks.
Melville is an all-around threat, picking up 13 double-doubles this season and 84 in her career.
The graduate student was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year for the third consecutive year, All-Conference First Team for the fourth straight year, and AAC Offensive Player of the Week nine times this season, and was a two-time honor roll selection.
Dillon ends her senior season with first-time All-Region Honorable Mention.
"The AVCA All-Region teams are meant for a very small selection of the volleyball community, added Dagenais. "Anytime you earn a spot on the region team it's a huge honor. We are happy for Claudia's inclusion on the honorable mention award. This is a very well deserved award for Claudia."
The Evergreen, Colorado, native has been a dual threat for the Knights as both an attacker and a blocker, as she was second on the team in block assists (90), total blocks (99), and kills (208).
The senior was named to the All-Conference First Team and earned offensive player of the week honor once this season.
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