DALLAS – Two student-athletes from Conference USA were named 2021 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Americans on Wednesday, as WKU middle hitter Lauren Matthews received third team honors and Rice setter Carly Graham was an honorable mention.
                                         
Matthews continues to add to her accolades this season becoming the first Hilltopper to make the AVCA All-American twice after she also earned second-team honors in the spring. Other honors earned this year include being named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, the league’s overall Player of the Year and the AVCA South Region Player of the Year. Matthews also earned the tournament MVP award following WKU victory in the conference championship.
 
For the Owls, Graham became the 24th player in program history and 23rd under head coach Genny Volpe to earn AVCA All-American honors. She also was named to the organization’s Southwest All-Region team earlier this month. The Spring, Texas native, is ranked 14th in the country in assists per set (11.10). Graham also earned Conference USA Setter of the Year and was named to the league’s All-Tournament team in November.