LEXINGTON, Ky.– Haverford sophomore middle blocker Taylor Jones was named to the AVCA Division III All-Region V team, the organization announced in a release on Thursday afternoon. Jones, who picked up Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Centennial Conference earlier this week, posted a breakout sophomore campaign in 2022. In total, there were 200 players honored, and they represent 112 different schools. Athletes named to All-Region teams are eligible for selection to the AVCA Division III All-America teams which will be announced on November 15.
The Yorba Linda, Calif. product earned her second All-Centennial Conference nod in as many seasons after leading the conference in hitting percentage (.387), and finishing second in blocks per set (0.99) and third in total blocks (86). Jones ranks 17th in Division III for hitting percentage, and 47th in blocks per set. Jones' .387 hitting percentage was also the second-best all-time in Haverford program history, behind just Steph Frank's 2000 season in which she tallied a .388 percentage for the Fords.
Jones picked up the inaugural CC Defensive Player of the Week honors right out of the gates as Haverford sprinted out to a hot start to anchor through the first weekend of the season. Jones added 21 total blocks in four matches at the Haverford Invitational, picking up tournament MVP honors in the process as the Fords went 3-1 to start the season, with wins over Cabrini, Stockton, and New Jersey City.
This season, Jones had five or more blocks on five different occasions, including a season-best 10 rejections against Cortland on September 10. Proving to be a two-way force, Jones also rattled off 10 or more kills in six different matches, including a season-best 15 in an upset win over nationally-ranked Susquehanna on September 9.
Each of the 10 regions named 14 student-athletes to the All-Region team, and six players earned honorable mention recognition. Additionally, every region selected a Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Freshman of the Year. In total, Jones is the 14th All-Region first-teamer in program history. Last season, the Fords garnered a pair of AVCA All-Region players for the first time since 2009 as Juliet Young (All-Region) and Dina Kosyagin (honorable mention) were both recognized for their prowess in Region V.