2022 All-PacWest Teams

IRVINE, Calif. – Dominating the pins for Academy of Art volleyball, two Urban Knights were distinguished in Tuesday's announcement of Pacific West Conference postseason honors. Graduate student outside hitters Amalie Rupertova and Maya McClellan, who represented the only pair of student-athletes from one team inside the conference's top seven in kills per set, each garnered places on the All-PacWest Second Team.

"Both Amalie and Maya were incredible this year," said Head Coach Breann Robinson. "They played every second of every match which is extremely tough physically, mentally, and emotionally. They both displayed a lot of maturity throughout the year and I'm very proud of all that they were able to accomplish. This recognition is great for them and I know will only motivate them to continue to work in the offseason."

The 2022 campaign saw Rupertova make her dynamic debut as ART U's leader in points (380.5) and kills (341) in addition to being responsible for the team's third-highest totals in digs (317) and service aces (26). One of just five PacWest competitors to average more than 3.30 kills and 2.50 digs per set, she finished the year ranked fifth in the conference in points per set (3.69) and sixth in kills per set (3.31). The Industrial Design major posted the fifth-most points, kills, and kills per set in Academy of Art's single-season history as well as the seventh-most points per set.

Contributing the team's third-highest digs per set average (2.52) helped Rupertova post eight double-doubles during the season while she delivered double-digit kills in 17 of her 29 matches played. The Tlucen, Czech Republic native swung for a season-high 24 kills on two occasions, versus UH Hilo (Sept. 19) and Dominican (Sept. 29) just 10 days apart. Her first time reaching that kill total also saw her achieve season-highs of 29 digs and five service aces.

"Amalie was a great leader for us this season," Robinson said. "Her work ethic is contagious in the gym and her ability to maintain that standard for the team was really important for us this year. Regardless of what lineup was on the court, Amalie was able to grind out points on the outside which kept us in a lot of matches."

Demonstrating her all-around talents like Rupertova in her first year with Academy of Art, McClellan was second on the squad in points (344), kills (290), digs (289), and service aces (32) in 2022. The Interior Architecture & Design major's averages of 2.82 kills per set and 3.34 points per set ranked seventh and eighth respectively in the PacWest while her 10 double-doubles were first on the team.

Reaching double-digits in kills on 12 occasions in her debut season as an Urban Knight, McClellan put away her highest mark with 23 kills against Concordia on Sept. 10. Later that month, she tied the program record with seven service aces versus Hawaii Pacific (Sept. 17) then a season-best 22 digs came from her hands in a Sept. 29 matchup with Dominican. McClellan's final match of the year on Nov. 12 saw her connect on six blocks, her top total to date with ART U.

"Maya has an amazing fire and competitive edge that can be unstoppable on the court," Robinson said. "Whether she was playing outside or opposite, her ability to score points under pressure was critical in a lot of matches this season."

These are the first All-PacWest Team honors for Rupertova and McClellan in their respective careers.