Samantha Dougherty

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2012 Tachikara-NAIA Volleyball All-America Teams, as selected by the NAIA Volleyball All-America Selection Committee.

After leading TMC’s women volleyball squad during a historic season that culminated in the Mustangs’ first-ever NAIA National Tournament appearance, Samantha Dougherty has been named to the 2012 Tachikara-NAIA Volleyball All-American Team.

The Madera, California, native landed a spot on the second team following a campaign in which she led the Mustangs to a 27-8 record, a program-best No. 11 national ranking, and a resilient run at the national tournament. Dougherty finished the year with 452 kills, 372 digs, 56 service aces, and 22 assists. The Mustangs’ ace also finished the year first in the Golden State Athletic Conference in service aces and third in kills.

This accolade came on the heels of Dougherty’s selection to the All-GSAC squad two weeks ago.  On the way to these honors, she earned the GSAC’s “Player of the Week” award on two separate occasions this fall and was also a recipient of the NAIA’s “Volleyball National Player of the Week” award for the week of October 29-November 4.

TMC went 27-8 in 2012, finishing 10-4 and in third place in the GSAC. For the first time ever, the Lady Mustangs qualified for the NAIA National Tournament, making it as far as the first round of single-elimination play before being ousted by Oklahoma Christian.