LEXINGTON, Ky. — Texas State senior volleyball student-athletes
Emily DeWalt and
Janell Fitzgerald were named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Southwest All-Region Honorable Mentions, the organization announced Tuesday morning.
"I'm very proud of both Janell and Emily for everything they've accomplished on and off the court this season," said Texas State volleyball head coach
Sean Huiet. "To be recognized as some of the top student-athletes in our region is impressive. Being the only two volleyball student-athletes from the Sun Belt Conference to be recognized, I think it speaks volumes about their level of productivity throughout this past season."
2021 marks the second consecutive year Texas State (20-12, 14-2) was represented on the AVCA All-Southwest Region team after DeWalt (All-Region), Fitzgerald (All-Region) and
Tyeranee Scott (Honorable Mention) were selected last year. DeWalt has found her name on either the AVCA All-Southwest Region Team or Honorable Mention list in all four years as a Bobcat.
DeWalt, who was named the Sun Belt Conference's Player of the Year in addition to earning the league's setter of the year award for the fourth straight season, totaled 813 assists in 76 sets played throughout the 2021 fall season. She was the lone volleyball student-athlete in the Sun Belt Conference to average more than 11 assists per set as the senior setter concluded the year with an 11.09 assists per set average. DeWalt helped guide a Texas State offense that finished atop the conference with a 13.76 kills per set average and was second in the league in hitting percentage with a .245 clip.
Fitzgerald, who was named both the preseason and regular season Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year this season, led this year's Texas State squad with 314 total kills and a 3.24 kills per set average. She had nine double-digit kill totals in 10 matches against the Sun Belt Conference's West Division en route to reaching the feat in 13 total conference matches. For the season, Fitzgerald was credited with 11 double-doubles (kills, digs) in 16 conference matches and finished the regular season with a streak of six consecutive matches played with a double-double.
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