Whoa, Nellie: Setter Spicer repeats as All-American

UCLA junior setter Nellie Spicer today was named an American Volleyball Coaches Assn. (AVCA) first-team All-American for the second consecutive year.

Spicer becomes only the sixth Bruin to earn first-team All-American honors twice, joining Annett Buckner (1993-94), Liz Masakayan (1984-85), Daiva Tomkus (1987-89), Natalie Williams (1990-92) and Elaine Youngs (1991-92). Only two players, Tomkus and Williams, have earned three, first-team All-American awards.

Spicer was a key to UCLA’s defensive prowess, with 50 or more assists in 14 matches, but hurt her hand in midseason during a practice drill.The Bruins then slumped in Pac-10 play, finishing fifth with a 9-9 mark. But with her health back for the NCAA Tournament, UCLA ran off three easy wins against Alabama A&M, Clemson and Oregon to reach the regional finals against No. 1-ranked Stanford. The Bruins played well in that match, but lost to the Cardinal in four sets.

Spicer will receive her All-American award Friday at the AVCA banquet in Sacramento, site of this year's women's volleyball Final Four.