Baziquetto-Allen Wins 2020 AVCA Diversity Award

Baziquetto-Allen Wins 2020 AVCA Diversity Award

LEXINGTON, Ky.- Florida SouthWestern Head Volleyball Coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen has been named one of just two NJCAA recipients and one of 25 recipients nationally across all levels of volleyball to be named a winner of the AVCA's 2020 Diversity Award. 

The AVCA Diversity Awards Program is a platform for showcasing leaders that positively impact the sport of volleyball every day.  The Program does not manufacture leaders.  The AVCA Diversity Development Team and the Association is excited for the opportunity to engage winners as leaders and be intentional in empowering them as aspiring professional and volleyball coaches. 

When she found out she was recieving the award, Baziquetto-Allen said "I am very proud to be able to represent FSW with this award.  I have been given an incredible opportunity here as a minority female to lead a group of young women from all sorts of backgrounds as they pursue their academic and athletic dreams.  I will use this award to show them that no matter where you come from or what the norms may have been in the past, you can truly achieve anything you want to with hard work and determination."

Baziquetto-Allen, a Brazilian-American, enters her second season with the Bucs in 2020-2021. In FSW's inaugural campaign in 2019, the Bucs went 16-8 overall and 4-2 in Suncoast Conference play, earning their first trip to the FCSAA State Tournament where they finished 4th.  Baziquetto-Allen's Bucs captured five wins over ranked opponents including three wins over top 15 foes and a top 10 victory.  Equally as successful in the classroom, Baziquetto-Allen's Bucs earned a pair of prestigious academic awards in 2019-2020 as they were named one of the selections for NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year as well as a recipient of the AVCA Team Academic Award with their 3.53 overall team GPA on the year. 

Baziquetto-Allen and her Bucs will open their 2021 campaign on January 22nd in Suncoast Credit Union Arena when they host the FSW Kick-Off Classic.