University of Delaware Athletics
Ariel Shonk Named To Preseason All-CAA Volleyball Team; Mackenzie Olsen Picked Honorable Mention
8/19/2013 5:25:00 PM | Volleyball
Shonk (Atlanta, Ga./Riverwood International Charter) is coming off an outstanding freshman campaign in which she was named third team All-CAA and the CAA Defensive Specialist of the Year. Also a league All-Rookie Team pick in 2012, she led the CAA with 5.68 digs per set, the second highest average in a UD single season. Shonk ranked second among all freshmen in Division I in digs per set, while her 619 total digs were the eighth highest in a UD season.
Shonk posted a season-high 40 digs against Penn on Sept. 19, the sixth most on the Delaware single match list. She reached double figure digs in all but two matches, and recorded at least 30 digs five times.
Olsen (Villa Park, Calif./Villa Park) was the Blue Hens' starting setter as a freshman a year ago, when she also was selected to the CAA All-Rookie Team. She was one of four UD players to appear in all 109 sets, and ranked second in the conference by averaging 10.00 assists per set. Additionally Olsen was third on the squad with 251 digs, fifth with 35 blocks, and sixth with 55 kills.
Olsen recorded at least 18 assists during every match of the season, including 12 contests over 40 helpers. She handed out 67 assists against Penn, tied for the ninth most in a single match in UD history, and added 61 during the five set victory over George Mason on Oct. 13.
Shonk was joined on the squad by CAA Preseason Volleyball Player of the Year Darcy Dorton of the College of Charleston, Kelly Bacon of Northeastern, Dessi Koleva of William & Mary, Christi Laite of UNCW, Sloane White of the College of Charleston, and Kelsie Wills of Hofstra. Honorable mention accolades went to Olsen, Lizzy Briones of James Madison, Melissa Morello of the College of Charleston, Meghan Niski of James Madison, and Natalia Skiba of Northeastern.
The Blue Hens, who went 16-14 last season and advanced to the CAA Tournament championship match, open their season on Friday, Aug. 30 at Pepperdine at 10:30 p.m. ET.
2013 Preseason All-CAA Volleyball Team
Kelly Bacon, Northeastern (Sr., OH)
Darcy Dorton, College of Charleston (Sr., OH)
Dessi Koleva, William & Mary (So., OH)
Christi Laite, UNCW (Sr., RS)
Ariel Shonk, Delaware (So., DS/L)
Sloane White, College of Charleston (Jr., MB/RS)
Kelsie Wills, Hofstra (Jr., OH)
Honorable Mention: Lizzy Briones, James Madison (MB); Melissa Morello, College of Charleston (OH); Meghan Niski, James Madison (OH); Mackenzie Olsen, Delaware (S); Natalia Skiba, Northeastern (L).
2013 Preseason CAA Volleyball Player of the Year: Darcy Dorton, College of Charleston
