Dec. 5, 2001

WACO, Texas - Baylor sophomore Stevie Nicholas joined nine other Big 12 Conference athletes on the 2001 all-Central Region Team, announced Wednesday by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Nicholas becomes just the third player in Baylor history to receive all-region honors.

A first-team all-Big 12 Conference selection, Nicholas is now eligible for AVCA all-America honors. The AVCA recognizes 12 athletes in each of eight regions across the nation, from that group, 12 first-team all-Americans and 12 second-team all-Americans are selected.

Nicholas, who was named AVCA Central Region Freshman of the Year last season, becomes the first Bear to earn all-region honors since 1999, when Elisha Polk and Kia Young were both so honored. Cory Sivertson was a three-time, second-team USVBA all-South Region selection from 1992 to 1994.

Through two seasons, Nicholas has already broken or tied nearly a dozen school records, including seven career matches with at least 30 kills. This season, she posted the second-highest kills-per-game average in school history, behind only her average from last season.

The Big 12 commanded 10 of the 12 slots on the Central Region team. Nebraska led the way with five selections, followed by Colorado and Texas A&M with two each. Northern Iowa contributed the final two members to the team. Nicholas and Molly O'Brien of Northern Iowa were the only sophomores on the all-Central Region team.

The 2001 AVCA all-America teams will be announced Dec. 14 at the Final Four in San Diego, Calif.