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Kansas Volleyball Places Three on AVCA All-Region Teams for 2025 Season
12/9/2025 10:38:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas Volleyball continued its momentum from a standout 2025 campaign as three Jayhawks earned recognition on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region Central Teams, the organization announced Tuesday. Middle blocker Reese Ptacek and pin hitter Jovana Zelenovic were named to the AVCA All-Region First Team, while pin hitter Rhian Swanson earned Honorable Mention honors. Zelenovic was additionally selected as the region's Freshman of the Year.
The announcement comes on the heels of one of the program's most impressive postseason runs in recent years. The No. 16 Kansas Jayhawks defeated Miami, 3–1, in the second round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament inside Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 on Dec. 5. Kansas (24–10, 13–5 Big 12) reached the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2021, adding to previous runs in 2013 (Sweet 16), 2015 (NCAA Semifinals) and 2021 (Sweet 16). The Jayhawks will now face Nebraska in Lincoln on Dec. 12 at 8:30 p.m. CT.
Ptacek emerged as one of the Big 12's most dominant middles this season, totaling 325 kills, a .317 hitting percentage, and 2.54 kills per set across 128 sets played. She anchored Kansas' blocking unit with 136 total blocks (1.06 per set) and added 27 service aces, showcasing her expanded offensive range and reliability. Her steady presence at the net was central to Kansas's out-blocking opponents 320.5–253 this season.
Zelenovic delivered one of the most complete freshman seasons in the country. She led Kansas with 479.5 total points, tallying 369 kills at a .284 hitting clip, averaging 2.88 kills per set, and recording a team-high 46 service aces. Defensively, she was equally impactful, posting 123 total blocks—nearly one per set. Her production and maturity earned her a spot on the All-Region First Team as well as the region's Freshman of the Year recognition.
Swanson capped her Kansas career with her first AVCA All-Region honor after leading the Jayhawks with 346 kills and 3.09 kills per set, hitting .257 on nearly 1,000 attempts. The senior pin added 50 blocks, 58 digs, and 371.5 points, serving as a steady, experienced presence in all six rotations throughout KU's postseason surge.
The AVCA recognized 14 First Team honorees and additional Honorable Mention selections across its 10 Division I regions. Regional Player, Freshman, and Coach of the Year awards were also announced, with Kansas' Zelenovic taking home Freshman of the Year distinction. More than 200 student-athletes representing 109 schools were honored nationwide.
The 2025 AVCA All-America Teams will be released on Wednesday, Dec. 17, as the Jayhawks look to add national recognition to one of the strongest seasons in recent program history
The announcement comes on the heels of one of the program's most impressive postseason runs in recent years. The No. 16 Kansas Jayhawks defeated Miami, 3–1, in the second round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament inside Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 on Dec. 5. Kansas (24–10, 13–5 Big 12) reached the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2021, adding to previous runs in 2013 (Sweet 16), 2015 (NCAA Semifinals) and 2021 (Sweet 16). The Jayhawks will now face Nebraska in Lincoln on Dec. 12 at 8:30 p.m. CT.
Ptacek emerged as one of the Big 12's most dominant middles this season, totaling 325 kills, a .317 hitting percentage, and 2.54 kills per set across 128 sets played. She anchored Kansas' blocking unit with 136 total blocks (1.06 per set) and added 27 service aces, showcasing her expanded offensive range and reliability. Her steady presence at the net was central to Kansas's out-blocking opponents 320.5–253 this season.
Zelenovic delivered one of the most complete freshman seasons in the country. She led Kansas with 479.5 total points, tallying 369 kills at a .284 hitting clip, averaging 2.88 kills per set, and recording a team-high 46 service aces. Defensively, she was equally impactful, posting 123 total blocks—nearly one per set. Her production and maturity earned her a spot on the All-Region First Team as well as the region's Freshman of the Year recognition.
Swanson capped her Kansas career with her first AVCA All-Region honor after leading the Jayhawks with 346 kills and 3.09 kills per set, hitting .257 on nearly 1,000 attempts. The senior pin added 50 blocks, 58 digs, and 371.5 points, serving as a steady, experienced presence in all six rotations throughout KU's postseason surge.
The AVCA recognized 14 First Team honorees and additional Honorable Mention selections across its 10 Division I regions. Regional Player, Freshman, and Coach of the Year awards were also announced, with Kansas' Zelenovic taking home Freshman of the Year distinction. More than 200 student-athletes representing 109 schools were honored nationwide.
The 2025 AVCA All-America Teams will be released on Wednesday, Dec. 17, as the Jayhawks look to add national recognition to one of the strongest seasons in recent program history
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
Pin
/ Women's Volleyball
Pin
/ Women's VolleyballKansas Volleyball Media Availability
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