Nov. 22, 2005

MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine junior middle blocker Sophia Milo has earned the second All-West Coast Conference (WCC) first team honor of her career Tuesday morning announced by the conference office Tuesday morning. Senior Melissa Mehlhorn, sophomore Lecca Roberts and freshman Julie Rubenstein were named honorable mention, while Rubenstein and Cassi Chamberlain were both voted to the all-freshman team by the league's coaches.

For Milo, this is the fourth time she has been honored by the league after claiming Freshman of the Year honors as well as being tabbed WCC honorable mention in 2003. Last season, the Portland, Ore., native was the lone Wave on the first team. Milo's .461 attack percentage led the conference, while her 1.39 blocks per game ranked second and her 3.67 kills per game placed eighth.

Mehlhorn was a 2004 honorable mention after being named to the first team in 2003. The Tempe, Ariz., was third in the WCC in assists per game at 12.36 and led the team to a .244 hitting percentage, a mark which ranks second in the league.

For Chamberlain, Roberts and Rubenstein, today's announcement brings the first conference awards of their young careers. Roberts' 1.32 blocks per game was fourth in the league, while Rubenstein ranked fifth in the WCC in points (4.69) and seventh in kills (3.71).

Player of the Year honors went to Santa Clara's Cassie Perret, Freshman of the Year was Santa Clara's Brittney Lowe, Defensive Player of the Year was San Diego's Jackie Bernardin and Coach of the Year was Santa Clara's Jon Wallace. This season marked the first time an all-freshman team was selected.

The Waves (17-11, 10-6 WCC) have concluded their 2005 regular season and will await Sunday's NCAA selection show to see if they have earned an at-large bid to the 64-team tournament field. The announcement will air live on ESPNews beginning at 11:30 a.m. (PT). Check local listings for coverage in your area.