November 26, 2007

Pitt State Duo Garner NCAA-II All-America Honors
Cartagena Named to 2nd-Team, Williams Garners H.M. Recognition

    PITTSBURG, Kan. -- Sophomore outside hitter Pamela Cartagena and junior rightside attacker Sammie Williams each garnered NCAA Division II All-America honors today (Nov. 26) when the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its 2007 honor squad.
    Cartagena, a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was named to the second-team All-America team, while Williams, from Blue Springs, Mo., was named to the honorable mention list. Both players garnered first-team All-South Central Region accolades from the AVCA when that squad was released on Nov. 20.
    Cartagena, who has garnered All-Region honors in each of her first two seasons, averaged 4.02 points, 3.51 kills and 4.72 digs per game for the Gorillas this fall. She was a repeat selection as a first-team All-MIAA performer, helping Pitt State post a 28-9 record, advance to the finals of the MIAA Tournament and qualify for the NCAA-II National Tournament for a fourth time in the last five seasons. During her two-year career, Cartagena has recorded 991 kills -- already good for sixth place on PSU's career kills chart -- and 1178 digs -- the fourth-highest total in school history.
    Williams led the Gorillas in kills and points, averaging 3.95 kills and 4.43 points per game this fall. A two-time second-team All-MIAA performer, Williams vaulted all the way to second place on Pitt State’s all-time kill chart with 1426 following the 2007 campaign. She ranked fifth in the MIAA in kills and sixth in the league in points this fall.