Senior outside hitter Lindsey Ruddins became UCSB volleyball’s first four-time All-American as she was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American Third Team on Wednesday.
Ruddins and Roberta Gehlke (1997-99) were the program’s only three-time All-American honorees.
After earning honorable mention recognition the past three seasons, Ruddins landed on the Third Team after a sensational season that saw her lead the Gauchos into the NCAA Tournament Second Round for the first time since 2004.
The Laguna Niguel, Calif. native is also the first player since Danielle Bauer (First Team) and Brooke Niles (Third Team) in 2002 to earn a spot on one of the three teams.
Ruddins finishes her career as the all-time kills leader in UCSB history in the rally scoring era, and second only to Gehlke overall, with 1,970 kills. That mark also ranks fifth all-time in Big West Conference history, where Ruddins cemented herself in the record books. With three Big West Player of the Week selections this season, and 12 overall for her career, Ruddins now has the most weekly awards in conference history and became just the 12th player in the Big West to earn four, First Team all-conference selections.
The past season was the most efficient of her career as she hit .282 overall and registering three matches where she hit above .500, including a career-high .548 clip in a sweep over UC Davis.
An all-around talent, Ruddins accumulated totals of 439 kills (4.43 k/s), 266 digs (2.69 d/s) and a career-best 63 blocks (.64 b/s), while totaling 13 double-doubles.