The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Bozic, Stefanov Named Honorable Mention All-Americans
12/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 17, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced its Division I All-America teams Wednesday, and UAB seniors Ivana Bozic and Nevena Stefanov were recognized with honorable mention honors.
The duo, which combined to start 226 matches in four years at UAB, helped the Blazers to an historic season in 2008. UAB finished the campaign with a 27-8 record, advanced to the Conference USA Championship finals for the third straight season and earned an at-large berth into the NCAA tournament.
The Blazers capped their season by winning the first NCAA tournament match in program history with a 3-0 sweep of Missouri State.
"Ivana and Nevena were a major part of the success we had this season," UAB head coach Kerry Messersmith said. "We were able to accomplish some things that our program had never accomplished before, and they were major factors. They have both been outstanding players here for a long time."
Bozic and Stefanov completed their careers as two of the most successful and decorated players in UAB history.
Bozic, an outside hitter, finished 2008 as UAB's team leader in both kills per set (3.36) and digs per set (3.43). She also ranked in the top 10 in Conference USA in both categories. An All-C-USA First Team selection, Bozic was named the league's offensive player of the week three times and the Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU.com) National Player of the Week once. She managed a team-best 19 double-doubles on the season.
A native of Arandjelovac, Serbia, Bozic concluded her four-year career ranked third all-time at UAB with 1,874 career kills and fifth in school annals with 1,394 digs.
Stefanov wrapped up her career this season as one of the most prolific setters in Conference USA history. With 5,839 career assists, she ranks fourth in league history and second all-time at UAB.
Stefanov, a native of Belgrade, Serbia, was also an All-C-USA First Team selection this season and the league's setter of the year. She finished second in the conference and currently ranks 21st in the nation with 11.11 assists per set. Stefanov posted at least 50 assists in nine matches and tallied nine double-doubles in 2008.
Both players were also honored last week on the AVCA's Division I All-Midwest Region Team.
Bozic and Stefanov are just the second and third Blazers ever to be recognized as honorable mention All-Americans by the AVCA. Bozic had been the only Blazer to earn the honor previously, having been selected as a sophomore in 2006.
