Benson earns First Team All-America honor

Senior middle blocker Ashley Benson upped her historic 2009 All-America selection by being named First Team All-America on Monday.

Benson was one of 14 players to be selected by American Volleyball Coaches' Association as First Team All-Americans. She earned Third Team honors last season.

The Bloomington native broke her own school record with a .408 hitting efficiency in 2010, which was the second-best mark in the Big Ten and 10th in the nation. Her 1.40 blocks per set were best in the conference.

Benson also cemented career records this season, ending her four-year tenure as a Hoosier with a .339 hitting efficiency and 629 total blocks.

Benson led IU to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2002 and its first-ever trip to the Sweet 16, where the Hoosiers fell to USC in three sets.


- Drew Allen