KU freshman Nicole Tate (13) tries to land a block against Oklahoma on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 during the Jayhawks' home volleyball match.

Kansas University freshman setter Nicole Tate was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team on Monday.

Tate, the first Jayhawk to be named to the Big 12’s All-Freshman Team, started all 29 matches for Kansas and finished the regular season ranked fifth among Big 12 setters with just under 10 assists per set. The St. Louis native also had a team-high 11 double-doubles.

The All-Big 12 awards are selected by the league’s head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.

Bechard elected AVCA President

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard as the new AVCA President-Elect for 2009.

Bechard, the Jayhawks’ all-time winningest volleyball coach, will be responsible for conducting board meetings and will serve as a board liaison to the executive director and also as the general chair of the AVCA’s annual convention. Bechard served on the AVCA Board of Directors from 1992-98 during his tenure at Barton Community College.

“It’s exciting to once again become involved with the AVCA and its Board of Directors,” Bechard said. “The opportunity to work with the outstanding leadership of this organization at a time where our sport is experiencing so much growth is something I am really looking forward to.”

“When I saw this year’s slate of candidates, I knew the AVCA was going to benefit from continued strong leadership,” AVCA executive director Kathy DeBoer said. “The number of you that participated in the election let me know you agreed. Congratulations to Ray Bechard… we look forward to working with you.”

All of the new positions will take effect January 1, 2009.