Dec. 6, 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Sophomore Natalie Bogan was one of 12 players selected to the AVCA All-Midwest Region accolades as announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Bogan joins Sammy Waldron, who is Rice's career kills leader, as the only sophomores in program history to notch AVCA All-Region honors. She also earns AVCA All-America Honorable Mention status, teaming with Waldron and Olaya Pazo as Rice's third All-American.

"Natalie is very deserving of this honor," head coach Genny Volpe said. "She has been consistent with her production all season and is a complete middle blocker."

Bogan (Oakland, Calif.) paced the Owls smacking 336 kills on an impressive .320 attack percentage. Her .320 attack percentage was ninth in Conference USA. She also notched 1.08 blocks per game which was seventh in C-USA.

Rice is coming off a 13-17 season and an appearance in the C-USA Quarterfinals. All six starters will return for the Owls in 2008.

AVCA All-Midwest Region Team
Kelly-Anne Billingy (Marshall)
Natalie Bogan (Rice)
Abbey Breit (Jacksonville State)
Shelby Burton (Memphis)
Justine Farmer (Houston)
Leanne Felsing (Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
Elizabeth Fleming (Marshall)
Jenn Miller (Tulane)
Angie Porche (Valparaiso)
Sara Radosevic (Tulane)
Julia Silva (Tulsa)
Bridget Wells (Tulane)