Volleyball News Releases

Dudgeon becomes Cornell's first all-region volleyball player

MOUNT VERNON - Cornell junior middle hitter Laura Dudgeon (Bettendorf/Bettendorf) has been selected honorable mention all-Central Region by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Dudgeon, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter, is the first Cornell volleyball player to garner all-region accolades. She was one of four Iowa Conference players honored, joining first team selections Tara Christiansen (Simpson) and Jenny Dziubla (Loras) and honorable mention pick Shayla Chalker (Coe).

"This is a great honor for Laura and one she has worked very hard to earn," Cornell head coach Jeff Meeker said. "She put together an outstanding season and had some of her best performances against our toughest competition."

Dudgeon enjoyed a banner-filled 2008 campaign, leading the Rams in kills (358), kills per set (3.01), hitting percentage (.333), block assists (50) and total blocks (60). She topped 1,000 kills for her career in the regular-season finale, becoming the second Ram to reach the milestone. Dudgeon is only 135 kills shy of Kori Sims' all-time mark of 1,151.

Dudgeon tallied double figures in kills in 21 of the last 23 matches of the season, highlighted with a season-best 21 kills against Monmouth Sept. 13. She finished second in the IIAC in hitting percentage and ranked sixth in kills per set.

Dudgeon earned first team all-IIAC honors, the first Ram tabbed to the league's top squad since 2004. She was twice named IIAC Player of the Week and also gained all-tournament accolades in the IIAC-MIAC Border Battle.   

Dudgeon helped guide the Rams to a 16-16 overall mark and a berth in the IIAC Tournament. Cornell's season ended in a four-set loss to Central in the first round of tournament play.

Dudgeon, a 2006 graduate of Bettendorf High School, is majoring in exercise science. She is the daughter of Linda Dudgeon, Bettendorf.