Colorado State University Athletics
CSU's Barnes, Fornstrom named AVCA all-region
12/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Dec. 10, 2008
By John Manuszak
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State seniors Mekana Barnes and Ashley Fornstrom were named to the AVCA All-West region team, announced Wednesday by the AVCA. The duo helped lead the Rams to a 23-7 record and a spot in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Both players were named all-region for the second consecutive season.
Fornstrom, the Mountain West’s all-time leader in assists, was named the MWC Setter of the Year on Nov. 25, marking the second consecutive season she earned the award. The Cheyenne, Wyo., native led the conference in assists per set (11.18) and total assists (1,252) this season.
“I think Ashley was unanimously the best setter in our conference,” said Head Coach Tom Hilbert. “She does a lot of different things for us. She blocks well. She serves well. She plays defense and she gets the ball to the people who need it, and I’m glad she was named all-region again because she deserves it.”
Barnes, a 6-0 middle blocker from Highlands Ranch, Colo., was named to her third consecutive spot on the all-conference team this season. She led the MWC in blocks per set (1.46), while ranking second in kills (3.34), third in hitting percentage (.335) and points per set (4.46), and ranking ninth in service aces per set (0.24).
“Mekana was the most dominant, physical player in the conference this season,” said Hilbert. “She was a consistent go-to player for us all season and the player that every team that played us made as the No. 1 part of their scouting report. That’s a hard role to play and she played it well.”
All-West Region
| Kylie Atherstone** | Cal Poly | RS/Opp. | Sr. |
| Lori Baird | University of Utah | MB | Sr. |
| Mekana Barnes** | Colorado State University | MB | Sr. |
| Anell Cubi-Otineru | University of Hawaii | OH | Jr. |
| Jeannie Fairchild | University of New Mexico | OH | Sr. |
| Ashley Fornstrom** | Colorado State University | S | Sr. |
| Jaclyn Houston** | Cal Poly | MB | Sr. |
| Jamie Houston*** | University of Hawaii | OH | Jr. |
| Lauren Kellerman | University of California, Irvine | OH | Sr. |
| Dani Mafua | University of Hawaii | S | So. |
| Brittany Moore | California State Univ., Fullerton | OH | Sr. |
| Emillie Toone* | University of Utah | MB | Sr. |
| Krystal Torres | New Mexico State University | DS/Lib. | Sr. |
| Naomi Washington | Long Beach State University | MB | Jr. |
Region Freshman of the Year: Kanani Danielson, Hawaii, OH
Honorable Mention: Camille Cunningham (UNLV, DS/Lib., Sr.); Kanani Danielson (Hawai’i, OH, Fr.); Amber Kauffman (Hawai’i, MB, Jr.); Kari Pestolesi (UC Irvine, OH, So.); Taryn Robertson (UC Irvine, S, Jr.); Amber Simpson (New Mexico State, MB, Sr.); Dana Vargas (Long Beach State, S, Sr.); Lindsey Yon (New Mexico State, OH, Sr.)