IRVINE, CA --- The same trio that was named All-Golden State Athletic Conference in the regular season has been named to the Tachikara-NAIA Volleyball All-America Teams, as senior middle blocker Cassie Ells led the way with a first-team nod.

Ells, the first Eagle since 1990 and only the second player in school history to hit over .400 in a season, is joined on the All-American list by second-team selection junior opposite Amber Ridens and third-team honoree senior outside hitter Stephanie Darnall.

"All three of these players were on-court leaders for us, especially when it came to the national tournament," head coach Kyle Kvasnicka said. "They all three played different roles, and they combined to help us play really, really well at the right time."

Ells completes her four-year CUI career as the school's all-time leader with a .390 (573-142-1106) hitting percentage thanks to a .423 (256-55-475) clip in 2009 that would have ranked second in the NAIA if it met the eligibility requirement of five attacks per set.

The trademark of Ells' game over the years has always been efficiency, however, as she also posted 243 career blocks--good for eighth on the all-time list.

"We're definately going to miss Cassie," Kvasnicka said. "She's proven herself to be probably the most efficient hitter in the country, and she did a great job at the national championships. We're losing not only a good player in Cassie, but a good person who's made a great impact on the people in this program."

Ridens was Concordia's lone representative on the Tachikara All-Tournament Team, where CUI finished in the semifinal round for the fourth consecutive year and the fifth time in the past six seasons.

She hit .310 (377-138-771) and ripped 70 service aces--tied for second on the all-time single-season list--in her first full campaign as a starter.

"Amber definitely stepped up her game this year," Kvasnicka said. "She has to be the most lethal jump-server in the country, and it was great to see her playing with more and more confidence as the year went along. We're looking forward to seeing her step up even more as a senior, and I think we'll see her best year yet in 2010."

Darnall had transferred from NCAA Div. I San Diego State prior to the 2009 season after starting there for three years, and did not disappoint in an Ealges uniform.

In addition to 356 kills, Darnall was third on the team wwith 304 digs (2.69 digs per game) and notched 49 total blocks to boot.

"Stephanie is one of the better all-around players in the country," Kvasnicka said. "She came in and has helped us keep our program where it has been over the past few years. She established herself as a very good teammate for the younger players and put a lot of trust in us as a coaching staff by transferring here as a senior."

CUI went 30-8 in Kvasnicka's first year at the helm, marking the fourth consecutive 30-win season and fifth in program history.

To view the entire Tachikara-NAIA Volleyball All-American Teams listing, click here.