For the first time in program history, the William Smith volleyball team has landed three players on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American teams. Juniors Malya Sayre and Hope Von Dohlen, as well as first-year Delainy Williams were named honorable mention selections after a record-breaking season that saw the Herons go 22-7 and clinch a bid to the NCAA Division III women's volleyball tournament for the first time in program history.
Sayre earned her second-straight All-American honorable mention selection after being named to the AVCA All-Region and All-Liberty League first teams for the second consecutive season. In 109 sets, Sayre recorded a Heron season record 434 kills, 365 digs, 58 service aces and 33 blocks. She averaged a league leading 3.98 kills per set and 4.69 points per set, which ranks 32nd and 22nd in the nation, respectively. Sayre also ranked eighth in the Liberty League in service aces per set (0.53) and digs per set (3.35). Her dominant season saw her earn three Liberty League Performer of the Week awards and four matches with 20+ kills.
The six rotation outside hitter from Peotone, Illinois, has played in 76 matches over the past three seasons as a Heron. Sayre has averaged 3.82 kills per set, 2.59 digs per set, 0.44 aces per set and 4.45 points per set. In her junior season, she recorded 17 double-doubles, including a career-high 25-kill and 16-dig performance in a five-set win over Clarkson in the Liberty League semifinal match. Sayre also added a season-high five service aces in the win. She surpassed the 1,000 career kill mark against Rochester in November, becoming the first player in program history to reach that milestone.
Von Dohlen was named an All-American for the first time in her career after an impressive season that saw her earn AVCA All-Region first team honors as well as being named to the All-Liberty League honorable mention team. Through 29 matches, she tallied 260 kills, 77 digs and 70 blocks with a .163 hitting percentage. Von Dohlen averaged 2.39 kills per set, and 2.74 points per set. She ranked 12th in the conference in blocking, averaging 0.64 blocks per set. Von Dohlen was named the Liberty League Performer of the Week after a strong showing at the Hamilton Tri-Match as she recorded 24 kills and four blocks.
The right side from San Antonio, Texas, has played in 61 matches over the past three seasons as a Heron. Von Dohlen has averaged 2.20 kills per set, 0.64 blocks per set and 2.49 points per set. In her junior season, she recorded double-digit kills in 11 matches, including a season-high 20 kills in a five-set win over Gettysburg. Von Dohlen recorded a career-high seven blocks against Montclair St. and a season-high seven digs against Stevenson.
Williams was named an AVCA All-American after a standout rookie season that saw her earn AVCA Region III Freshman of the Year and Liberty League Rookie of the Year honors. She was also named to the All-Region and All-Liberty League first teams. In 109 sets, Williams tallied 1,134 assists, 200 digs, 51 service aces, 47 kills and 31 blocks. She averaged a league leading 10.43 assists per set, which ranks 10th in the nation. Williams also averaged 1.83 digs per set, 0.47 service aces per set and 1.05 points per set.
The setter from Portland, Oregon, recorded eight double-doubles in her rookie campaign and surpassed the 1,000-career assist mark against Susquehanna, marking the first player in program history to achieve this milestone in a single season. Williams was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Week seven times and recorded three matches with 50+ assists. She was named the William Smith Tournament Most Valuable Player in August and followed that up with a career-high 54-assist performance against Mount St. Joseph the following week.
"I am so tremendously proud of these three women and am beyond happy that they are getting the recognition they deserve," said Head Coach Derryk Williams. "Each one of these athletes put in an extremely high level of work over the summer and it showed in our team and their individual successes. Malya improved in all aspects of her game and was a force not only at the net, but as a passer and defender this season playing all the way around. Hope made one of the biggest jumps I have seen an athlete make between her sophomore and junior year, both in skill and overall physicality in the game. Delainy received the region rookie of the year for a reason; leading our team not only in assists but leading on the court with a presence that not many setters possess. We are so lucky to have these three back in our gym next fall and I can't wait to see what the future holds for them!"
