TAMPA - University of South Florida volleyball players Marcela Gurgel and Alli Arbogast garnered American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Region honors, as announced by the association Wednesday. By virtue of being named to the first team, Gurgel automatically earns All-America honors for the third time in her career, the only USF player ever to accomplish the feat.

"I'm very proud to see two of our players be recognized as all-region selections after the success our team had," said USF head coach Claire Lessinger. "Our region is full of talented players and this is a true honor for both Marcela and Alli."

Gurgel is the only current three-time All-Northeast Region honoree.  The senior led the team in kills per set (3.91) and points per set (4.51). The outside hitter finished tied for second place among conference leaders with 4.04 kills per set in BIG EAST matches. The Fortaleza, Brazil native moved up on USF's all-time career kills list to second place with 1,756, fourth in aces with 218 and ninth with 1,046 digs.

"This is a reflection of the respect Marcela has gained from the coaches in our region as well as the consistent role she played in our team's success throughout her career," said Lessinger.

Arbogast was named to the AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention Team for the first time in her career. The senior middle blocker led the team with 1.55 blocks per set and was ranked in the top 10 nationally for the entire year. Arbogast tallied the most blocks in one game in BIG EAST play with 16 against UConn on Oct. 2. In addition, she ranked fourth in the conference with a .353 attack percentage. The St. Louis, Mo., native solidified her spot in second place on USF's all-time career block assist list with 368 and also stands fourth in total blocks with 416.

Both were also recently named to the All-BIG EAST First Team.