Nov. 15, 2007
PHILADELPHIA- Senior outside hitter Yue Liu, junior outside hitter Patricia Vernon and sophomore outside hitter Yun Yi Zhang were all named to a 2007 Atlantic 10 Volleyball All-Conference Team, as announced today by the Conference office. Liu earned her third straight First Team honor, while Vernon was selected Honorable Mention. Rookie Zhang was voted to both the Second and All-Rookie Teams.
Liu has been one of the most consistent performers on the Temple squad for the last four years. After being tabbed as the A-10's Rookie of the Year in 2004, she has thrice been named to the Conference's First Team and will graduate as one as Temple's all-time leaders in kills. This season, she is second on the team in kills (3.56 kpg), digs (249) and service aces (27). Liu has posted eight double-doubles and has had double digit kills in 23 matches thus far this season. She was named the A-10 Rookie of the Week for the week ending October 21.
Zhang has had a breakout rookie year, leading the team and the A-10 in kills with nearly six kills per game. She is ranked second in the Conference in points (5.09) and is third on the team in digs (218). Twice named A-10 Rookie of the Week, Zhang has had eight double-doubles and has totaled double-digit kills in every match but four. She is also contributing .74 bpg.
A two-time Second Team All-A-10 selection, Vernon really stepped up her game in Conference play. She is third on the team in kills with 337 and tied for fifth in digs, averaging 2.11 dpg. Vernon is the Cherry and White's second leading blocker, averaging .83 bpg, and has had two double-doubles this season.
The fourth-seeded Owls (14-17, 9-4 A-10), after capturing the A-10 East Divisional title, face off against the fifth-seeded Fordham Rams tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in the First Round of the 2007 Atlantic 10 Volleyball Tournament.
