Cebakova, Nash and Sukaj Named First Team All-PL

Nov. 18, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University volleyball team's Ivana Cebakova, Christina Nash and Rubena Sukaj have each been named to the All-Patriot League First Team, conference officials announced Tuesday.

"We are really proud of our team's performance this year and it is nice to see a few individuals recognized for the success our team has had," Head Coach Barry Goldberg.

Cebakova, the 2007 PL Co-Defensive Player of the Year, leads the nation in aces per set (0.67) and ranks fourth in the Patriot League in digs per set (3.42). She set an American University record with 12 aces against Lehigh earlier this year and is the school's all-time leader in digs per set (3.66) and ranks second all-time in digs (1,176). Cebakova was named to the All-PL Second Team in 2007 and to the PL Academic Honor Roll in 2006.

Nash is ranked second in the PL in assists per set (10.15) and ninth in aces per set (0.33) this season. The 2006 PL Co-Setter of the Year has recorded 3,844 career assists and is third all-time at AU and fifth all-time in the conference. Nash was named to the All-PL Second Team in 2006 and is a three-time PL Academic Honor Roll selection.

Sukaj set both the PL and AU career records for kills (2,039) and aces (291) this season. She ranks 12th in the NCAA in aces per set (0.51) and 17th in kills per set (4.23). In the PL, Sukaj ranks first in kills per set, is second in aces per set and ninth in hitting percentage (.285). The two-time PL Player of the Year was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II First Team earlier this year and is a three-time All-PL Selection, three-time PL Academic Honor Roll selection and two-time AVCA All-America Honorable Mention.

American will host the 2008 PL Volleyball Tournament this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22, in Bender Arena as the tournament's No. 1 seed. American captured its eighth-consecutive PL Regular Season title to earn the top seed with an overall record of 22-8 and a conference mark of 13-1. The Eagles will play in the first semifinal match on Friday against No. 4 Bucknell at 6 p.m. before No. 2 Army and No. 3 Colgate take the court at 8 p.m. in the second semifinal match. The winner of each match will meet on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the championship match. Fans who are unable to attend the tournament can watch live streaming video of each match on their computer via Eagle Vision All*Access.