LEXINGTON, Ky.- Florida SouthWestern sophomore Barbara Koehler was named the top two-year volleyball player in the country on Wednesday as the Bucs outside hitter earned the prestigious AVCA National Player of the Year award, beating out other candidates from the NJCAA Division I, II, and III ranks, as well as players from the CCCAA and NWAC.
Koehler led the Bucs to their first National Championship in program history this season, averaging 3.74 kills per set while hitting .324 on the year. Her 3.74 kills per set set a new FSW single season record and ranked in the Top 10 Nationally while her .324 hitting percentage was best of any hitter averaging 3.50 or more kills per set on the season. She was a weapon at the service line, dialing up 45 aces to lead the Bucs while also registering 2.68 digs and 0.48 blocks per set on the defensive side of the net. Koehler racked up 10 or more kills 21 times this season including all four matches at the NJCAA National Tournament. She picked up eight double-doubles on the year including a 12 kill, 15 dig performance in the National Championship game for which she was named the NJCAA National Tournament MVP.
Koehler finishes her FSW career as the Bucs all-time leader with 590 kills and 78 aces while ranking 4th in digs with 462 and 5th in blocks with 101. In her two seasons with the Bucs, Koehler led FSW to a 52-6 overall record, back to back Suncoast Conference Championships with a 29-1 record, two top five finishes at the NJCAA National Tournament and their first FCSAA State and NJCAA National Championships in program history.
Koehler will receive her award on Thursday, December 15th at the AVCA National Convention in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Final Four in Omaha, Nebraska.