(UW COMMUNICATIONS) – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its Watch List for its 2024 Division I Player of the Year Award, and Carter Booth, Sarah Franklin, and Anna Smrek of the Wisconsin volleyball team were named to its inaugural list of 36 players.
A total of 36 players from 21 schools were named to the Watch List with Nebraska leading the way with four athletes, while Wisconsin and Pittsburgh were the only other schools with three.
Fifth year senior Sarah Franklin is the reigning AVCA National Player of the Year, and in seven matches is averaging 4.79 kills per set which ranks seventh in the NCAA and first in the Big Ten. She’s also leading the country in attacks per set (12.97), and 16th overall in points per set (5.12).
Joining Franklin on the list are 2023 AVCA All-Americans Carter Booth and Anna Smrek. Smrek was a Second Team honoree a season ago, while Booth was named to the Third Team. In 2023, Booth had a season-best .431 hitting percentage, while adding 1.56 blocks per set. Opposite Smrek had a career season with 2.67 kills per set, hit .401 and added 1.15 blocks per set.
The Watch List will be narrowed down in November, and then the names of the finalists will be released before the AVCA Convention mid-December. The 2024 AVCA Player of the Year will be announced on Friday, Dec. 20, in Louisville, KY, during the AVCA Convention.
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