Wednesday, December 14, 2005

San Antonio, TX -- After earning AVCA All-Region honors last week, Florida Atlantic University's Kelly Paiva earned Honorable Mention All-America honors announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Wednesday.

A senior outside hitter for the Owls, Paiva guided the team to a 29-3 record. By averaging 5.94 kills per game, the Minas Gerais, Brazil native ranked second in the nation in that category. She broke the FAU single season kills record in her two year career.

Paiva is also listed among AVCA's 30-kill club, registering 31 or more kills on six occasions. She recorded 24 double-doubles during the 2005 campaign, including eight consecutive matches where she posted double-digit kills and digs.

She leads the league in kills and points, while FAU leads in six of eight categories, including hitting percentage, kills, and blocks. A transfer student from Southern Idaho, Paiva racked up 1,109 kills, 72 aces, 730 digs and 109 blocks in her time with the Owls.

The A-Sun Player of the Year was part of the program's third NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005.

Paiva's 2005 Accolades
Atlantic Sun Player of the Year
Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP
Atlantic Sun First Team All-Conference
AVCA All-Region (South)
AVCA All-America (Honorable Mention)

Portions of release courtesy of FAU Athletic Communications