Whyte, Porras, and Ramirez Earn USCAA Volleyball All-Americans

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. – The United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) released the 2019 Volleyball All-Americans on Friday night. The University of Dallas had a trio of players named to the two teams, with Dayjah Whyte (Round Rock, Texas) and Abigail Porras (El Paso, Texas) highlighting the group with First Team mentions. Larissa Ramirez (San Antonio, Texas) was named to the Second Team.

This is the second year the sophomores Whyte and Porras have received All-American honors. The pair got named to Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) All-Conference Second Team earlier this week. Whyte garnered USCAA Player of the Week four times this fall, while Ramirez was a freshman setter that earned USCAA Setter of the Week three times.

Whyte and Porras were the top duo in kills within the USCAA, while Ramirez ranked third in assists-per-set.

On the season, Whyte logged 381 kills (2.80/set) and totaled 86 blocks (69 BA) to lead the squad in both categories. The sophomore middle hitter also hit .265 and racked up 23 service aces. Whyte has accumulated 22 matches with double-digits in kills. This includes a season-high 21 kills in a 3-2 win over Centenary College of Louisiana (Oct. 19).

Porras finished the campaign with 366 kills (2.75/set) but did play one match and three sets fewer than Whyte. The sophomore outside hitter was the team leader in service aces with 56 (next highest 43). Porras contributed 273 digs and 33 total blocks (31 BA). She finished with nine double-doubles (four-of-six games) and registered double figures for kills in 19 contests (including four straight and five-of-six).

Ramirez appeared in all 36 matches this season and served as the primary setter. In her first season, the native of San Antonio, Texas, totaled 1,132 assists and averaged an 8.14-clip per set. She reached double figures in assists in all-but one match and eclipsed 30 assists in 20 matches, including seven of the last eight on the year. Her career-best was 62 versus University of St. Thomas that eventually helped clinch a spot for UD in the SCAC Tournament.

The Dallas volleyball program has placed all three nominations allowed on an All-American Team back-to-back years, and have at least one selection since 2015. The Crusaders finished the 2019 season with a 17-19 record and 9-9 mark in the SCAC to tie for fourth in the league standings.