Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

Story by Tyler Cundith
12/9/2005

JCCC’s Kracl Named AVCA All-American

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The American Volleyball Coaches Association recently announced its 2005 All-America teams for two-year colleges, and Johnson County Community College sophomore Lauren Kracl was selected to the first-team.  The team is comprised of the top volleyball players from both NJCAA Division I and II.  

Kracl, an outsider hitter from Eudora, Kan.,  was also named to the NJCAA All-America first-team and voted the top player in District K, Region VI and the East Jayhawk Conference earlier this month.  She is the fifth player in team history to earn MVP of the conference.  Kracl was voted MVP of the national tournament after leading JCCC with 98 digs and a hitting percentage of 270.  Her effort helped lead JCCC to a 35-4 record and the program’s first NJCAA national championship.

Kracl ranks among the top players nationally in kills and digs per game.  Her 434 total kills and 495 digs this season rank third all-time at JCCC.  Earlier in the campaign, Kracl was twice selected the Kansas Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week, and she was the NJCAA Player of the Week for Sept. 18-24.

“Lauren is an outstanding athlete,”  head coach Jill Stinson said.  “She is an extremely powerful hitter and blocker, and at times dominated matches.”

Kracl joined the program this season after earning honorable mention All-MIAA accolades at Missouri Western University her freshman year.  She was a standout athlete at Eudora High School garnering All-State accolades seven times in volleyball and basketball.