LEXINGTON, Ky. - Senior middle blocker Jenna Bridges of the Hartford volleyball team was selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American Honorable Mention team, the organization announced Wednesday.
 
Bridges took home AVCA All-American honors after earning AVCA All-Region Honors this season as well. The Exeter, R.I. native, is the first AVCA All-American selection in program history.
 
"This is a wonderful recognition for Jenna and our volleyball program. We are so proud of everything that she has accomplished at Hartford and being selected by the All-American committee is the culmination of her dedication, drive, perseverance and determination," said head coach Vinh Nguyen.
 
It was an outstanding senior year for Bridges, which also saw her become the fourth player in conference history to be named the America East Player of the Year multiple times. Bridges was also a First Team All-Conference pick and a member of the America East All-Academic Team this past season. In addition, she graduates as the only player in program history to win multiple major awards from the America East, as she was also tabbed the league's Player of the Year as a junior in 2018.
 
"This is an incredible honor that I would have never thought I could have achieved," said Bridges. "Again, I owe everything to my team and coaches for this award. Hartford volleyball is making history and I am ecstatic to be a part of this shift in culture to a winning program. I'll say it once and I'll say it again, the future is very bright for Hartford volleyball and I'm excited to see what the new decade brings for this program."
 
This past season, Bridges led the conference in three different statistical categories, including hitting percentage (.371), kills per set (4.20) and points per set (4.76). In 12 conference matches, she also averaged the most kills per set with 4.70 and was second with a .349 hitting percentage. Registering 20+ kills in 10 matches, Bridges broke  Teri Connolly's ('96) former program record of 65 blocks with 76 in addition to shattering Bianca Feldkoetter's ('95) former program record of 280 block assists with 291.

"She has shown throughout her career at Hartford that she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to. This award could not have gone to a more deserving person," Nguyen added.
 
The Hawks return 11 players from a squad that made it to the America East Tournament's championship match for the first time since 1996. In addition, the team's 16 wins were the most since 2014.