McMahon named First Team All-American

Brianne McMahon

Sweet Home High School graduate and Alfred State College sophomore Brianne McMahon has been named a First Team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American.

It is the first time in at least 30 years that Alfred State has had a First Team All-American.

Elaina Braun of Waterloo also earned the honor, marking the first time in Alfred State history that two members of the volleyball team were named All-American in the same year.

Head coach Gene Doorley knows that these honors were earned based on commitment to the program at Alfred State.

"The honors and success that these young ladies have garnered are true testaments to their focus and commitment to learning and improving," he said. "These young ladies, with their fellow teammates, have put endless hours into practice and their year-round training. It's always rewarding to have your players receive recognition when it is so well-deserved. The time, energy and countless hours that these young ladies have put in truly make these awards special."

Brianne McMahon (11) has been named a First Team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American. McMahon is a Sweet Home High School graduate and Alfred State College sophomore. It is the first time in at least 30 years that Alfred State has had a First Team All-American.

McMahon repeats as an All-American after being named an honorable mention All-American in 2006.

During the 2007 season, McMahon finished with 435 kills (25.68 percent hitting efficiency, 4.1 kills per game), 467 digs (4.4 digs per game) and 76 service aces.

Nationally, McMahon finished third in the nation in kills per game, 10th in digs per game, and 17th in hitting efficiency.

In 22 matches this season, McMahon recorded more than 10 kills with her high of 20 coming in a victory over Monroe Community College on Sept. 25. She recorded more than 10 digs in 19 matches and recorded a season-high 35 in a victory over Jamestown Community College on Oct. 9. On 16 occasions, she recorded double doubles (over 10 kills and 10 digs), including the last six postseason matches.

For her career, she finishes with 612 kills (3.6 per game), 679 digs (3.9 per game) and 121 aces (.7 per game) in 172 games.

She was named the Region III Division III Player of the Year twice, first team All-Region twice, and first team All-WNYAC twice.

In tournament play, she was named MVP of the Region III Division III Tournament in 2007, MVP of the Mohawk Valley Community College Tournament twice, MVP of the Alfred State College Invitational, and All-Tournament at the Onondaga Community College and Jefferson Community College Tournaments.

"Bree has been a vocal leader and a big impact on the court," said Doorley. "Her passion for volleyball and her determination to succeed have been a great part of our success over the past two years. She truly deserves this award. She was in the top two of most of our major statistical areas."

McMahon and Braun helped Alfred State College to a 36-6 record. The team qualified for the school's first trip to the NJCAA National Championships in 30 years where they finished tied for fifth in the country.

Alfred State also was crowned Region III Division III Champion and winners of the ASC, Onondaga Community College and Mohawk Valley Community College Tournaments. The team was also a fixture in the NJCAA Division III poll all year and reached as high as No. 5 in the rankings.

For their two years at Alfred State, McMahon and Braun, along with fellow sophomore teammates Shannon Jablonski (Cheektowaga) and Natalie Gregory (Iroquois), finished with a 69-9 record.