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ICC duo receives all-America honors
Freshman from China on first team; Washington soph second-team pick
December 15, 2008
By ADAM DUVALL
Reprinted with permission of the Journal Star
Right-side hitter Yiting Cao's dominant play at the net led to her first-team selection. Teammate and outside hitter Melissa McCracken received second-team honors.
Cao also was selected to the prestigious American Volleyball Coaches Association all-American second team. That group spans all three NJCAA divisions as well as the California, Washington and Oregon schools not in the NJCAA.
This is just the second time in Sue Sinclair's 19-year coaching career at ICC that two of her players have been on the NJCAA team. In 2004, Manoela Vieira Da Cunha and Tara Toepke were named to the first and second teams, respectively.
'Having that kind of depth in talent at the net certainly puts a bigger strain on the opponent,' Sinclair said about a duo that led the Cougars to a 29-11 record and fourth-place national finish.
McCracken, a sophomore from Washington, was a two-year starter and had 286 kills. She averaged 2.47 digs per set.
McCracken overcame injuries at the end of her freshman season to play in 38 of 39 matches. She also was a first-team all-region selection.
'Melissa certainly did a great job of being an experienced leader,' said Sinclair, who noted Southern Utah and Central Connecticut are among four-year schools vying for McCracken's services.
On the other hand, Cao was a blessing Sinclair hadn't expected. Through the recommendation of former ICC men's basketball player Shang Ping, the native of Shanghai, China, enrolled and excelled the moment she set foot on the court.
The freshman led the team in kills (466) and aces (89) and was second in digs (383).
'There's an old saying of lead by example,' Sinclair said. 'That what Yiting did. There's no doubt she came in with a great work ethic.'
Cao will return for her sophomore season, if she hopes to play at the NCAA Division I level. Per NCAA rules, Cao must receive her associate degree in order to be academically eligible at a four-year university or college.
Sinclair wasn't about to name all the schools that have inquired about Cao.
'In her case, every school that has seen her play, and has a scholarship available for 2010, wants her,' Sinclair said.
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