Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech freshman Felicia Willoughby has been honored as a CVU.com Rising Star as announced Wednesday. The rookie was noted as the second-best blocker in the nation's 2007 freshman class, putting back 1.51 blocks per game for the Hokies, and tallying 29 solos on the season. She also averaged 2.66 kills per game. Texas' Juliann Faucette was named the CVU.com Freshman of the Year, while Willoughby was among 14 honorees for the award. Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU) selected its candidates not only because they excelled this season, but because they are expected to do great things in the future.
Willoughby was also named the 2007 freshman of the year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) East Region, the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) and the ACC. She also garnered honors as an AVCA East Region Honorable Mention and a spot on the ACC's all-freshman team.
The Pleasanton, Calif., native has easily become one of the program's top blockers, as she tallied a team-high 1.51 blocks per game to lead the league this season, and ranked 20th among all NCAA players for the year. In collecting 172 total blocks this season, she broke Julie Neely's record of 167, set in 1986. Willoughby also holds the top spot on Tech's freshman list for total blocks, in addition to the freshman and single-season record for block assists, at 143.
In her first collegiate match, Willoughby blocked a personal-best 11 of William & Mary's attacks, tying her for the fifth most in Tech's individual match records. Throughout her opening weekend, she led the Hokies to a 3-0 sweep of the Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational, and was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts. She also garnered all-tournament honors at the Panther Invitational later in the season.
Willoughby led the team throughout 13 matches in blocking and led this years' squad in breaking Tech's season record for block assists and total blocks, set last year. She also leads the team in hitting percentage, with her .274 clip ranking second in Tech's freshman records, and her 303 kills lands her fifth among all Hokie freshmen.
Freshman of the Year
Juliann Faucette, OH, Texas
Rising Stars
Jovana Blazeski, OH, Florida A&M
Amy Benz, MH, Cleveland State
Laura DeBruler, OH, Illinois
Elizabeth Fleming, S, Marshall
Lindsay Fletemier, MB, Dayton (RS)
Jenna Hagglund, S, Washington
Alix Klineman, OH, Stanford
Allison Nieters, L, Iona
Becky Perry, OH, Washington (RS)
Nicki Scripko, RS/OH, Liberty
Kacie Wikierak, L, Denver
Felicia Willoughby, MB, Virginia Tech
Arielle Wilson, MH, Penn State
Megan York, OH, Saint Mary's
The Rising Stars are not listed in a specific order. Statistical category rankings used are based on players who played in 50% or more of their team's overall games. A full release, with a paragraph about each of the Rising Stars is available online at www.cvu.com.