UTB-TSC Capsules: Markovic, Guerra named NAIA volleyball all-Americans
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College's Danica Markovic and Ana Guerra have been selected to the 2010 Tachikara-NAIA volleyball all-america team, with Markovic a first-team selection and Guerra a second-team selection.
Markovic and Guerra are freshmen. Markovic came to UTB-TSC from Subotica, Serbia and Guerra came from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"It's great knowing that you have two all-american freshman to build around the next couple of years," Scorpions coach Todd Lowery said.
Each was ranked in national statistical categories. Markovic was ranked No. 2 in service aces with 89 and No. 9 in services aces per set with a 0.67 average. She also led the Scorpions in kills with a 3.25 average.
"Danica had a great year she came in as a freshman with all the tools to make an impact right away and she did," Lowery said. "She improved throughout the season and it is great to see her recognized for the great season she had."
Guerra was ranked No. 2 in blocks per set with an average of 1.43 and in total blocks with 195.
"Ana is had a wonderful year she is such has such a presence in the middle for us," Lowery said. "She is an absolute joy to have on our team she works hard and just really enjoys playing the game."
The Scorpions finished the season with a No. 2 national ranking and were semifinalists in the NAIA volleyball national championships last week in Sioux City, Iowa. UTB-TSC won the Red River Athletic Conference championship for the second straight year and had a season record of 38-2.
Men's Soccer
Perez, Nava named to NAIA men's soccer all-america team
Mario Perez and Juan Nava have been selected to the 2010 NAIA men's soccer all-america team, with Perez a second-team selection and Nava a third-team selection.
Perez, a sophomore, was named to the third team in 2009.
"I'm proud of both Mario and Juan, they both had great seasons," Scorpions coach Dan Balaguero said. "It is nice to see them rewarded nationally for their efforts."
The Scorpions finished the 2010 season with a 15-4-1 record and won the Red River Athletic Conference championship for the fourth consecutive season. UTB-TSC was eliminated in the opening round of the NAIA national championships by the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Perez and Nava were forwards. Perez scored six goals and had eight assists. Nava, a senior, tied the school record with 15 goals. He added five assists.
"Juan has worked extremely hard on improving his game throughout his college career and being named all America is a nice way for him to sign off," Balaguero said. "It's great to see Mario recognized again. Hopefully he can become a first-team all-america as a junior."
