Dec. 17, 1999

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Stanford's Kerri Walsh (Saratoga, CA/Archbishop Mitty HS) has been named the National Women's Volleyball Co-Player of the Year announced today by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Walsh shares the honor with Penn State's Lauren Cacciamani. Walsh is Stanford's second AVCA National Player of the Year, following Bev Oden's selection in 1990. The Cardinal have had a total of four National Players of the Year as former Cardinal players Kristin Klein and Cary Wendell each received the honor from Volleyball Magazine.

"This is a well-deserved honor for Kerri Walsh," stated Stanford head coach Don Shaw. "She's as good an all-around player as there is in collegiate volleyball today. She's been so valuable to our team in so many ways throughout her career. It's nice to see her get recognized for all her efforts and accomplishments."

"Words can't describe how great I feel about this," added Walsh. "I am truly honored. Winning this honor was truly a surprise. I was not expecting it, but I am glad I can bring it home to Stanford."

Walsh, one of only two players in the history of collegiate volleyball to be named AVCA first team All-Americans for four seasons, has had an incredible career on the Farm. Her teams have won a pair of NCAA titles and four Pac-10 championships. Stanford's record with Walsh on the club is an amazing 122-10 (.924). Walsh has twice been named Pacific-10 Player of the Year (1998, 1999) and recently earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the 1999 Pacific Regionals.

Walsh is the Pac-10's active career leader in kills (1542), attack percentage (.362), digs (1276) and total blocks (498). She ranks among Stanford career leaders in digs (3rd), blocks (4th) and kills (5th). This season, she currently leads the Cardinal in digs (3.15 dpg), while ranking second on the club in kills (3.26 kpg), as well as third in attack percentage (.358) and blocks (1.33 bpg).

The Cardinal will attempt to win its third national championship during Walsh's era and its fifth overall when second-ranked Stanford squares off with top-ranked Penn State on Saturday, December 18 (7:00 p.m., PST) in Honolulu, HI.