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Click Here 42 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, January 31, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 16, 2003 Matchett chosen to A-A team By JOE ZAVALA for the Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Southern Oregon University outside hitter Kristina Matchett has been named an NAIA second-team All- American for the third year in a row, solidifying her status as the most decorated athlete in team history. Matchett, who last year became the first and only Raider to repeat as an All-American, was one of 36 players honored, not counting honorable mentions. There are 12 players on each of the first, second and third teams. "We were hoping for first-team, to be honest," said Raider coach Paul Elliott, "but when you're talking about being one of the top 24 volleyball players in the nation, that's quite an honor. It proves that she's one of the elite players in the nation." No other Raiders made the list. Advertisement Fernanda Vivancos of National American University was named NAIA player of the year. Matchett is the first non-track female athlete in SOU history to become a three-time All-American. Among her achievements: The 2001 and '03 Cascade Conference player of the year. The 2003 NAIA Region I player of the year. A three-year conference and regionals all-star. A three-time league and regionals kills leader. The holder of SOU game (16), match (40), season (669) and career (2,291) kill records. Elliott said he talked to his star about the honor. "She's so humble," he said. "She's very happy to be second-team, and based on the amount of quality athletes at the national tournament it's understandable why she's second-team." Matchett led the Raiders to the NAIA national tournament three years in a row and this year led the nation in kills-per- game average (4.6) for the second consecutive season. The 5-foot-10 Klamath Falls native finished her career four kills shy of the all-time regional small-college career record, but her 5.02 kills-per-game average is by far the best in Northwest history. Matchett also set NAIA records by notching at least 10 kills in 125 of 130 career matches and posting 48 20-kill-or- better performances, and she finished No. 4 all-time at SOU for digs (1,052). Joe Zavala is sports editor of the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 482-3456. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times