Sykora Tabbed Best Digger, Best Receiver And Best Libero

By: Texas A&M Sports Information

Posted: Thu 6:05 PM, Jul 09, 2009

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Former Texas A&M volleyball standout Stacy Sykora garnered Best Digger, Best Receiver and Best Libero honors at the conclusion of the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament.

Sykora (Burleson, Texas) helped the U.S. Women’s National Team finish the NORCECA-Pool G tournament 3-0 to clinch an automatic berth into next year’s FIVB World Championship in Japan after defeating Costa Rica, 25-15, 25-9, 25-15, Wednesday in Orlando, Fla.

Sykora led all players with 5.0 digs per set during the tournament, posting 45 digs and no faults in 47 attempts. She also posted 18 excellent receptions in 36 attempts with only two faults for a tournament-high 44.44 percent efficiency.

Led by Sykora’s triple crown for individual accolades, the USA dominated tournament honors at NORCECAs, staking claim to seven of the nine individual honors.

A&M’s first varsity athlete to compete in three Olympics, Sykora was an outside hitter for the Aggies from 1995-98. She earned All-America honors in her final two seasons and joined the national team in January 1999, one month after completing a stellar four-year collegiate career.

Sykora quickly established herself as one of the best liberos in the world after joining the USA National Team and played in her first Olympics at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia. She was Team USA’s designated libero, a defensive specialist position that was making its Olympic debut.

Sykora made her second Olympic team in 2004 and was named “Best Digger” at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. She then won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as USA won silver for only the second time in Olympic Games history, equaling the 1984 team for best finish.

FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament - NORCECA Pool G Individual Honors:

Most Valuable Player: Cynthia Barboza (USA)

Best Scorer: Christine Anthony (Netherlands Antilles)

Best Spiker: Cynthia Barboza (USA)

Best Setter: Courtney Thompson (USA)

Best Server: Courtney Thompson (USA)

Best Blocker: Thonya Joseph (Barbados)

Best Digger: Stacy Sykora (USA)

Best Receiver: Stacy Sykora (USA)

Best Libero: Stacy Sykora (USA)

Complete FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament - NORCECA Pool G Results:

July 6

Costa Rica def. Barbados 25-17, 25-19, 25-17

United States def. Netherlands Antilles 25-10, 25-9, 25-5

July 7

Costa Rica def. Netherlands Antilles 25-16, 25-9, 25-23

United States def. Barbados 25-16, 25-11, 25-12

July 8

Netherlands Antilles def. Barbados 25-22, 20-25, 27-25, 21-25, 16-14

United States def. Costa Rica 25-15, 25-9, 25-15

Kats Rally for 6-5 Win and Series Sweep

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