NMU’s Lopes Named AVCA’s Midwest Region Freshman of the Year

MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University outside hitter Ana Lopes (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) was tabbed Midwest Region “Freshman of the Year” by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Abby Lovell (Leonard Mich./Marian) was selected honorable mention.

Lopes led nationally-ranked Northern Michigan to a 22-7 overall record and a 15-4 mark in the GLIAC for a third-place finish. The freshman outside hitter from Belo Horizonte, Brazil played in all 29 matches for the ‘Cats and appeared in all but one set this season. Lopes led the Wildcats in kills (329), digs (323) and service aces (50). She also posted 33 assists and 35 total blocks on the season.

Lopes was named to the All-Tournament team at the NCAA Midwest Regional at Hillsdale. She had 18 kills, 14 digs, two total blocks and a service ace against Indianapolis in the quarterfinal match. Lopes was also selected as the Freshman of Year by the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

Sophomore setter Abby Lovell was selected Honorable Mention by the AVCA. She was a GLIAC First Team All-Conference selection, leading the ‘Cats with 1,021 assists. She was fourth in the conference in assists per set (10.21) and had 147 digs, 100 kills and 21 service aces on the season.

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