Walker, Borum Collect VaSID Postseason Honors
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CHARLOTTESVILLE Va. — Virginia middle blocker Alana Walker and outside hitter Brooklyn Borum were tabbed the 2021 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) University Division Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, respectively, the organization announced today (Jan. 13). Walker, the ACC’s blocking leader, is the first recipient of the Defensive-Player-of-the-Year award, which was established this year. Borum is now the fifth UVA player in program history to garner VaSID Rookie-of-the-Year honors, which was instated in 2006. Additionally, both players were named First Team All-State selections.
Walker, who started in all 28 matches and was the only Cavalier to play in all possible 100 sets in 2021, led the ACC and finished second in the nation in blocks per set (1.51). She also led the ACC and finished seventh nationally in total blocks (151). The Chicago, Illinois native led the team in hitting percentage (.241) and finished fourth on the team in kills (182) and kills per set (1.82). Her blocks-per-set average was good for second all-time in a single season in UVA history, while her 151 total blocks was good for seventh all-time. Walker was the only player in the ACC to register five double-digit block performances. Her career-high of 11 blocks at North Carolina (Sept. 26) was pivotal in the Cavaliers’ only ACC victory of the season. Walker, a graduate transfer from Northwestern, joined Virginia in the Fall of 2021 with one season of eligibility remaining and was the first signee under head coach Shannon Wells, who also just concluded her first season with the program.
Borum was named to the ACC’s All-Freshman team after appearing in all 28 matches, including 27 consecutive starts as a true freshman. She led the team in kills per set (2.39), was the team’s best passer (.972) and recorded a team-leading seven double-doubles on the season. Borum named an all-tournament selection at both UVA’s second home tournament (Sept. 17-18) and at the VCU Invitational (Sept. 10-11). The Sterling, Illinois native posted a season-best .318 hitting percentage in the Cavaliers’ triumph at UNC. In Virginia’s five-set victory at VCU (Sept. 10), Borum collected a season-high 24 digs, which tied for the most digs by a Cavalier in a single match this past season.
VaSID names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports each year, as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the state of Virginia.
Coach of the Year: Lauren Steinbrecher, JMU
Defensive Player of the Year: Alana Walker (MB), Virginia
Player of the Year: Miette Veldman (OH), James Madison
Rookie of the Year: Brooklyn Borum (OH), Virginia
First Team VaSID University Division All-State
Miette Veldman (OH), James Madison
Jasmine Knight (MB), VCU
Sophia Davis (MB), James Madison
Alana Walker (MB), Virginia
Julia Brown (MB), William & Mary
Brooklyn Borum (OH), Virginia
Nicole Rodriguez (DS/L), Norfolk State
Second Team VaSID University Division All-State
Jovana Vukcevic (OH/RS), VCU
Angel Robinson (MB), Virginia Tech
Teresa Atilano (S), Old Dominion
Caroline Dozier (S), James Madison
Kennedi Johnson (MB), Radford
Hailey Duncan (MB), Old Dominion
Savannah Marshall (DS/L), James Madison