Juco All-American Joins Baylor Volleyball
1/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Jan. 14, 2005
WACO, Texas - Sophomore Deja Sweeney, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker/right-side hitter from Sacramento, Calif., has transferred to Baylor and will have two years of eligibility remaining, head coach Jim Barnes announced Friday.
"Deja will be extremely important to our team, competing at positions where we lack the most depth, particularly the middle and the right side," Barnes said. "Her best skill is passing, which is an area we were weak in last season, so she'll be able to contribute immediately to improve our ball control and make an impact on our team."
Sweeney was named to the AVCA Two-Year College All-America first team and the All-Northern California and all-state team this past season after hitting .297 with 3.61 kills per game for coach Laurie Nash at Sacramento City College. She also averaged 1.94 blocks per game to rank fourth among all California junior college players and 0.65 service aces per game to rank 19th. She was named Co-MVP of the All-Bay Valley Conference and earned all-conference honors. She was also named MVP of the Delta Tournament and earned the Outstanding Women's Athlete Award.
During her freshman season, Sweeney hit .254 with 2.62 kills per game and ranked 13th in California with 1.35 blocks per game. She was named the conference MVP and earned all-conference, all-Northern California and all-state honors.
Sweeney was a four-year letterwinner for coaches Barbara Corker, Chad Geary and Mary Patrick at Natomas High School in Sacramento, Calif. As a senior, she earned All-Sierra Foothill League honors and made the All-Star Team of Sacramento. Sweeney also earned the Academic Athlete Award as a junior, was named MVP of the Bencia Tournament as a sophomore and was named most improved as a freshman.
She is the daughter of Frank and Jeanne Sweeney and is majoring in health science.
Sweeney began classes at Baylor on Monday and will be available when the Bears begin their six-week spring practice March 21.
