LEXINGTON, Ky. - Senior middle blocker
Jenna Bridges of the Hartford volleyball team was selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) East All-Region Team, the organization announced Tuesday.
Bridges took home AVCA All-Region honors after landing a spot on the honorable mention list last season. The Exeter, R.I, native is Hartford's first two-time AVCA All-Region selection in program history after becoming the the first Hawk to take home the award since 1992 in 2018, when Kim Diehlmann earned the distinction.
Bridges earned All-Region honors as one of 14 members representing 39 schools on the East Region Team.
"We are so proud of Jenna and what she has accomplished with Hartford volleyball, said head coach
Vinh Nguyen. "Being chosen as one of the top-14 players selected for the East All-Region Team is a tremendous recognition of her dedication, passion, perseverance, hard work and humility."
It was an outstanding senior year for Bridges, which also saw her become the fourth player in conference history to be named the America East Player of the Year multiple times. Bridges was also a First Team All-Conference pick and a member of the America East All-Academic Team this past season. In addition, she graduates as the only player in program history to win multiple major awards from the America East, as she was also tabbed the league's Player of the Year as a junior in 2018.
"I am really honored to be a part of this elite group of women in college volleyball," said Bridges. " Of course, I could not have done this without my talented teammates and devoted coaching staff that will always have my back and have transformed this team to people that I call my family. I am excited to see what the future holds for Hartford volleyball and the successes they will have, and I am happy I was able to be a part of the change in Hartford volleyball. This team has taught me so much and I leave knowing how blessed I am to have incredible teammates and coaches that helped me achieve my goals."
This past season, Bridges led the conference in three different statistical categories, including hitting percentage (.371), kills per set (4.20) and points per set (4.76). In 12 conference matches, she also averaged the most kills per set with 4.7,0 and was second with a .349 hitting percentage. Registering 20+ kills in 10 matches, Bridges broke Teri Connolly's ('96) former program record of 65 blocks with 76 in addition to shattering Bianca Feldkoetter's ('95) former program record of 280 block assists with 291.
"Jenna exemplifies the essence of a student-athlete and wonderful teammate," Nguyen added. "She has left a solid foundation for which Hartford volleyball will continue to build on. Jenna will be missed on the sideline, but we know that she will move onto to do great things in her future."
The Hawks return 11 players from a squad that made it to the America East Tournament's championship match for the first time since 1996. In addition, the team's 16 wins were the most since 2014.
