Bessler, Peterson Named to All-BIG EAST First Team

NEW YORK - Seniors Abbey Bessler and Sofia Peterson were named to the All-BIG EAST First Team on Wednesday afternoon. The all-conference teams were voted on by the conference's 10 head coaches.

The seniors have led the Musketeers to a 19-12 (13-5 BIG EAST) record and a second-place finish in the conference standings. Xavier finished regular-season action winning 11 of its final 13 matches.

Bessler earns first-team honors for the fourth consecutive season, becoming the first player in program history to earn first-team honors every year. The Hebron, Ky., native ranks third in the BIG EAST in kills (3.76 k/s) and fifth in points (4.18 p/s).

The outside hitter has 11 double-doubles on the year and posted 10 or more kills in all but six matches this season. The 2015 BIG EAST Player of the Year earned conference weekly honor roll honors five times this fall and was tabbed player of the week on Aug. 29.

Peterson earns all-conference honors for the second straight year as the right side picked up second-team honors a year ago. The Melbourne, Fla., native ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in hitting percentage (.340) and 17th in kills (2.69 k/s). She also ranks third on the team in blocks with 62.

Peterson was named to the BIG EAST honor roll twice this season, earning the recognition on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17.

Xavier returns to action on Friday, Nov. 25 at the BIG EAST Tournament. No. 3 seed Xavier takes on No. 2 seed Marquette in the semifinals at 3 p.m. from Hinkle Fieldhouse.

ALL-BIG EAST HONOREES

Player of the Year: Lydia Dimke, Creighton, Jr., Setter
Libero of the Year: Tessa Fournier, Seton Hall, Sr., Libero
Co-Freshmen of the Year: Allie Barber, Marquette, Fr., Outside Hitter & Erica Di Maulo, St. John's, Fr., Setter
Coaching Staff of the Year: Creighton (Head Coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth)

First Team ^^
Lydia Dimke, Creighton*
Taylor Louis, Marquette*
Abbey Bessler, Xavier*
Anna Logan, Butler*
Jaali Winters, Creighton*
Taryn Kloth, Creighton
Allie Loitz, Villanova
Jenna Rosenthal, Marquette
Sofia Peterson, Xavier
Tessa Fournier, Seton Hall
Brittany Maxwell, DePaul
Megan Neimann, Marquette
Erica Di Maulo, St. John's
Allie Barber, Marquette

Second Team
Marysa Wilkinson, Creighton
Symone Speech, Georgetown
Jasmine King, DePaul
Danielle Schroeder, Seton Hall
Lauren Smith, Creighton

* denotes unanimous first team selection
^^ There is a 14-member first team due to voting policy

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