Four Nebraska volleyball players were honored as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its 2011 All-America team. Gina Mancuso was a first-team selection, Hannah Werth, Morgan Broekhuis and Lauren Cook were chosen as honorable-mention selections.

Mancuso led the Huskers in kills, totaling 407 for an average of 3.60 kills per set. She was also named the Big Ten Player-of-the-Week two times in 2011.

Werth averaged 2.80 kills per set and 3.11 digs per set, while ranking second on the team in total digs with 348 on the year. Werth was a two-time Big Ten Player-of-the-Week as well as the Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week on Nov. 22.

Broekhuis earned honorable-mention All-America honors for the first time, averaging 3.04 kills per set and a total of 344 kills while notching 1.58 digs per set.

Cook averaged 11.03 assists per set, .49 kills and 2.79 digs per set. She ranked fourth in the league in assists, while notching a team-best 18 double-doubles.

The Nebraska volleyball team had four players earn all-region honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Gina Mancuso was named a first-teamer, Morgan Broekhuis, Lauren Cook and Hannah Werth were named honorable mention.

Omaha native Mancuso led Nebraska in kills with a total of 407 and an average of 3.60 kills per set and 2.66 digs per set. Broekhuis averaged 3.04 kills per set and a total of 344 kills in just her second year as a starter. Cook ranked fourth in the league in assists, with a team-best 18 double-doubles (assists-digs), all while dealing with a hit and run accident that caused her to miss a couple of games to deal with legal issues. Werth ranked second on the team in total digs with 348 on the year and was a two-time Big Ten Player-of-the-Week.

The #2 seeded Nebraska volleyball squad opened the NCAA Tournament with their 27th straight first round win, by dominating first-time NCAA qualifier Jackson State with scores of 25-10, 25-16, 25-13 Thursday night in front of 4,192 fans at the NU Coliseum.

With the victory, Nebraska (25-4) advances to Friday’s second-round match at 7 p.m. Central against former conference rival Kansas State, who swept Wichita State in Thursday’s opening match.

Gina Mancuso and Brooke Delano led the Husker’s attack with 10 kills each, combining for 20 kills on 36 swings. Morgan Broekhuis added nine kills and Hannah Werth recorded seven kills and 11 digs. Nebraska hit .438 as a team, including the first and third sets, where the hitting percentage was over .500.

Lauren Cook, Gina Mancuso and Hannah Werth claimed first-team All Big Ten honors, while Morgan Broekhuis and Brooke Delano received honorable-mention accolades. In addition, senior co-captain Brigette Root was selected as a Sportsmanship Award honoree. It was Werth and Delano’s second straight All-Conference honor, while the other three Huskers were recognized for the first time in their careers.

The Huskers open the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, Dec. 1, when they face Jackson State at the NU Coliseum. The match is set to start at 7 p.m., or 30 minutes after the 4:30 p.m. match between Wichita State and Kansas State. The first-round winners will then meet on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.