Bajema, Powell Named All-American
December 18, 2019 | Volleyball
SEATTLE – Huskies Kara Bajema and Ella May Powell earned the highest distinction in NCAA volleyball today as both were named All-Americans by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Bajema got a spot on the First Team while Powell was named to the Third Team.
The AVCA annually selects a total of forty-two All-Americans with fourteen named to the First Team, fourteen to the Second Team, and fourteen to the Third Team, with additional honorable mentions. This is the twelfth year that multiple Huskies have been named to the top-three teams, and the first time since 2016.
This is the second All-America honor for Bajema and the first for Powell. The honor for Powell makes her the 28th different Husky to earn AVCA All-America honors, including honorable mentions.
Focusing on just the top three teams, Washington has now had 25 different All-Americans, becoming just the ninth program in the NCAA to reach 25.
Bajema and Powell helped the Huskies earn the No. 8 national seed in the NCAA tournament and advance to the Elite Eight where they fell to No. 1 Baylor in four sets last Saturday. The Dawgs finished 27-7 and were second in the Pac-12.
Bajema's senior season was one for the books, as the Lynden, Wash. product broke a 17-year-old school record for most kills in a season, as she racked up 597. A Third Team All-American last year, Bajema raised her production from 3.86 kills per set last season to 4.63 per set this year, while going from hitting .228 a year ago to hitting .280 this year. She also added a career-high 33 aces plus her best blocking rate as an outside hitter, with 0.62 blocks per set.
She finishes her career ranked sixth in school history with 1,482 kills. Bajema is also the eighth Husky outside hitter named First Team All-America, joining a list that includes Courtney Schwan (2016), Krista Vansant (2013, 2014), Christal Morrison (2006, 2007), Sanja Tomasevic (2005), Paige Benjamin (2002), Angela Bransom (1996), and Laurie Wetzel (1988).
Powell directed the Dawgs from her setter position, becoming the fifth Husky setter ever named All-America, joining Bailey Tanner, Jenna Hagglund, Courtney Thompson, and Melinda Beckenhauer.
The Fayetteville, Ark. product had 1,395 assists this season, averaging 10.49 per set, while helping the Huskies hit .260 as a team. Powell continued to develop as one of the toughest servers in the Pac-12 as she led the team with 42 aces, averaging 0.32 per set. She also upped her attacking with 0.54 kills per set at a .295 percentage to go with 79 total blocks and 307 digs.
Powell already ranks sixth in Washington history with 2,712 career assists and with 75 aces she could soon join Thompson as the only Husky setters with over 100 aces.
The AVCA annually selects a total of forty-two All-Americans with fourteen named to the First Team, fourteen to the Second Team, and fourteen to the Third Team, with additional honorable mentions. This is the twelfth year that multiple Huskies have been named to the top-three teams, and the first time since 2016.
This is the second All-America honor for Bajema and the first for Powell. The honor for Powell makes her the 28th different Husky to earn AVCA All-America honors, including honorable mentions.
Focusing on just the top three teams, Washington has now had 25 different All-Americans, becoming just the ninth program in the NCAA to reach 25.
Bajema and Powell helped the Huskies earn the No. 8 national seed in the NCAA tournament and advance to the Elite Eight where they fell to No. 1 Baylor in four sets last Saturday. The Dawgs finished 27-7 and were second in the Pac-12.
Bajema's senior season was one for the books, as the Lynden, Wash. product broke a 17-year-old school record for most kills in a season, as she racked up 597. A Third Team All-American last year, Bajema raised her production from 3.86 kills per set last season to 4.63 per set this year, while going from hitting .228 a year ago to hitting .280 this year. She also added a career-high 33 aces plus her best blocking rate as an outside hitter, with 0.62 blocks per set.
2?0?1?8? ??
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) December 18, 2019
2?0?1?9? ??
Kara Bajema has been named a First Team All-American by the @AVCAVolleyball after her record-breaking season!!
Kara was Third Team last year and she now becomes the 11th Husky ever named to the First Team.#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/ZAmvNkaz2D
She finishes her career ranked sixth in school history with 1,482 kills. Bajema is also the eighth Husky outside hitter named First Team All-America, joining a list that includes Courtney Schwan (2016), Krista Vansant (2013, 2014), Christal Morrison (2006, 2007), Sanja Tomasevic (2005), Paige Benjamin (2002), Angela Bransom (1996), and Laurie Wetzel (1988).
Powell directed the Dawgs from her setter position, becoming the fifth Husky setter ever named All-America, joining Bailey Tanner, Jenna Hagglund, Courtney Thompson, and Melinda Beckenhauer.
But wait, there's more??
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) December 18, 2019
Congrats to sophomore Ella May Powell who becomes an All-American with a Third Team selection!!
She is the 5th Husky setter to earn All-America honors and is one of just six setters on the @AVCAVolleyball top three teams.#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/iaZry7C2ak
The Fayetteville, Ark. product had 1,395 assists this season, averaging 10.49 per set, while helping the Huskies hit .260 as a team. Powell continued to develop as one of the toughest servers in the Pac-12 as she led the team with 42 aces, averaging 0.32 per set. She also upped her attacking with 0.54 kills per set at a .295 percentage to go with 79 total blocks and 307 digs.
Powell already ranks sixth in Washington history with 2,712 career assists and with 75 aces she could soon join Thompson as the only Husky setters with over 100 aces.
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