Isaksen Named AVCA First-Team All-American, Reusch Honorable Mention

Over the last decade of excellence, the Clarkson University Volleyball program has showcased a number of great players and a handful were picked for AVCA All-American honors, but it wasn't until Tuesday that the Golden Knights were awarded their first-ever AVCA First-Team All-American when libero Kate Isaksen was named for the organization's highest honor.

Isaksen, who was picked as an AVCA Third-Team All-American in 2017, surpasses the four AVCA Second-Team All-Americans in Clarkson's history. Xiao Liang (2013), Kirstie Shurie (2014 and 2015) and Aishvina Arasu (2015) each were selected as AVCA Second-Team All-Americans. Isaksen joins Shurie as the only Clarkson players to earn notice on one of the three named AVCA All-American teams (non-Honorable Mention) multiple times. In addition to Isaksen's selection, classmate Rachel Reusch earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-American notice.

Isaksen, who was chosen as the AVCA's New York Region Player of the Year, led the nation in digs per set last year but had to settle for runner-up status in 2018 despite averaging 7.97 digs per set, the third-highest figure at NCAA Division III since the sport changed to the 25-points per set system in 2008. Her 901 total digs led the country this year, and is the seventh-highest figure since 2008, just 32 short of the national mark. Isaksen also currently ranks third on the active leaderboard for digs with 2489, making her the only junior in the country to rank in the top 20 and the only one with more than 2000 digs through three seasons. Her 6.86 digs per set through three collegiate seasons places her fourth all-time in that category at the national level.

After two years as an AVCA All-New York Honorable Mention, Reusch elevated to First-Team status in the region in 2018 and gained AVCA Honorable Mention All-American honors. She ranked second in the conference with 1.00 blocks per set (41-72-113), with her 41 solo blocks nearly double that of the next player in the Liberty League (21). She tied for the national lead in solo blocks and had more than three entire teams in the conference while tying with a fourth in the league. In addition to her blocking prowess, Reusch also made life difficult for the opposition with 3.51 kills per set and a .342 hitting percentage. Her kills mark ranked her fifth in the league and the hitting percentage was third. Reusch's 958 career kills puts her on track to join the 1000-kill club early next year, while her 2.809 kills per set is the fifth best figure in program history and the highest average by a middle hitter.

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Players Mentioned

#17 Kate Isaksen: L; 5' 9"; Junior

#12 Rachel Reusch: MH; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#17 Kate Isaksen
: 5' 9"; Junior
: L

#12 Rachel Reusch
: 6' 2"; Junior
: MH

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#17 Kate Isaksen

#12 Rachel Reusch

Players Mentioned

#17 Kate Isaksen

#12 Rachel Reusch