April 26, 2012

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USC senior outside hitter Tony Ciarelli was named to the 2012 American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American first team, while three Trojans—-senior middle blocker Steven Shandrick, sophomore libero Henry Cassiday and freshman setter Micah Christenson—-made the AVCA All-American second team.

Christenson was named the 2012 AVCA Newcomer of the Year, joining Bryan Ivie (1988), Brook Billings (1999) and Ciarelli (2009) as Trojans who have been selected as the national newcomer of the year.

The AVCA National Player of the Year will be announced on May 2.

Click HERE for 2012 AVCA All-American teams.

Ciarelli, who twice (2009 and 2011) made the AVCA All-American second team, last week was named the MPSF Player of the Year. He currently leads the nation in aces (0.65) and is fifth in kills (4.03). His 163 career aces and 58 aces in 2012 are USC rally scoring era records (he is approaching the USC all-era marks of 164 and 63, respectively) and his 11 aces at Long Beach State this year is an MPSF all-era standard.

Christenson, who was also the 2012 MPSF Freshman of the Year, is the only freshman named to the 2012 AVCA All-American teams. He has started all season after a stellar prep career in Hawaii. He is tied for fifth nationally in assists (10.89), and he also has 157 digs and 67 blocks.

Shandrick is 19th nationally in blocks (1.09) and is hitting .434. His .454 career hitting percentage is a USC rally scoring era record. Cassiday, who last year made the Volleyball Magazine All-American third team, is 16th in the nation in digs (2.23).

USC, which this season won the MPSF regular season title for the second consecutive year for its first time ever, is currently ranked No. 1 nationally. The 23-4 Trojans host UC Irvine in tonight’s (Thursday, April 26) MPSF Tournament semifinal match.