FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fort Hays State volleyball senior Crystal Whitten was listed as Honorable Mention All-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, announced Wednesday (Dec. 7) by the organization. Whitten becomes the fifth Tiger all-time to receive national honors and is the first since 2005 (Kelly Skidmore).
Whitten wrapped up an impressive career with 491 kills this season, leading the MIAA and ranking 22nd in the country with 4.13 kills per set. She also led the team with 395 digs and 25 service aces, leading the Tigers in all three categories for the second-straight season. Her 491 kills rank fifth in a single season during the rally scoring era at FHSU, while her 4.13 kills per frame is sixth-best in the program’s NCAA Division II history.
The Wichita, Kan. native matched her career-high with 23 kills against Central Oklahoma (Oct. 14), tying the school’s rally scoring era record with 76 attack attempts.
Whitten recorded 1,507 kills and 1,266 digs in her four-year collegiate career, split between Pittsburg State and FHSU. She nearly reached 1,000 kills in just two seasons as a Tiger, recording 911 kills over the last two seasons. She averaged 3.76 kills per set in 68 matches for FHSU, third-best in the program’s NCAA Division II history. She also ranks seventh in DII program history with 3.44 digs per set.
The outside hitter was one of eight MIAA student-athletes to receive All-America status. Nebraska-Kearney and Washburn each had three players honored, while Central Oklahoma had one honoree.