LUCAS BECOMES FIRST NSU VOLLEYBALL PLAYER TO EARN NCAA II ALL-REGION HONORS

Dec. 6, 2001

Northern State junior Christi Lucas (White, S.D.) was a second-team selection on the 2001 Daktronics All-North Central Region Volleyball team selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) and released yesterday.

Lucas vs. Minnesota-Duluth

Lucas led the Wolves to their first-ever regional ranking in 2001 and was an All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first-team pick. A two-time all-conference performer, Lucas ranked second in the conference in blocks last season. On NSU's career charts, she already ranks 11th in kills, 8th in assisted blocks and 10th in solo blocks.

During the 2001 season, Lucas earned NSIC Player of the Week honors on Sept. 10 for leading Northern to four victories over rugged North Central Conference competition. That string included a win over national power North Dakota State. On the first day of classes in Northern's school centennial year, Lucas and the Wolves provided the perfect athletic kickoff to the centennial by beating the Bison in a five-game marathon thriller inside the Barnett Center.

NSU ended the season with a 19-11 overall record and was ranked ninth in the North Central Region. The top six teams move on to post-season play. NSU head coach Lisa Schriver expects Lucas to help lead a Wolves charge to be included as one of those six teams next season.

"Christi continues to improve every year," Schriver said. "For last two years she has been a dominant force in middle for us both offensively and defensively."

Lucas is the first Northern volleyball player to earn NCAA II all-region honors.