WOODLAND -- The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation named five BYU men's volleyball players to the Academic All-MPSF team for the 2004 men's volleyball season.
Jon Alleman, Fernando Pessoa, Michael Burke, Rob Neilson and Shawn Olmstead received academic citations for their contributions in the classroom and outstanding play on this year's NCAA National Championship squad that were also named MPSF Champions.
To be eligible for the selection student-athletes must have a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average, be at least a sophomore academically, completed one full academic year at this institution prior to the season for which the award is being received and competed in fifth-percent or more of the institution's competition in the respective sport.
Jonathan Alleman, a 6-3 senior outside hitter from Yorba Linda, Calif., earned All-MPSF Honorable Mentions honors and was third on the team with 3.34 kills per game and 1.58 digs per game. He is a second-year starter, playing in all 125 games for the season. Alleman also recorded three double-double performances on the year and finished the season averaging a .350 hitting percentage.
Fernando Pessoa, a 6-4 junior outside hitter from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, received AVCA All-America First-team honors and was also named to the NCAA and MPSF All-Tournament teams. Pessoa also received All-MPSF Second-team honors, leading BYU with 4.03 kills per game and 492 kills on the season. While earning two recognitions for AVCA National Player of the Week during the season, he recorded double-digit kills in 27 of 33 matches on the season.
Mike Burke, a 6-8 sophomore middle blocker from Salt Lake City, was named to the All-MPSF Third team, finishing the season with the best hitting percentage on the team at a .506 average. He recorded 196 kills on the season, averaging 2.58 kills per game and was second on the team in blocks per game at 1.17. Burke hit over a .500 average in 11 matches on the season.
Shawn Olmstead, a 6-2 libero from Carpinteria, Calif., was named to the 2004 MPSF All-Tournament Team, while completing in all 125 games on the season. He led BYU with 1.84 digs on the year, with a total of 230 digs that places him third on BYU's all-time list of individual digs in a single season. Olmstead recorded double-digit digs in seven matches this season.
Rob Neilson, a 6-3 setter from Pacific Palisades, Calif., competed in 104 games on the season, rotating in as a serving specialist and BYU's back-up setter to Carlos Moreno. He recorded 41 assists in the 3-0 win against Ohio State on Jan. 23. He posted two aces, 27 digs, 76 assists and two blocks on the season.
Burke and Neilson will both be returning to the Cougar lineup for the 2005 season.
Name Year Position Hometown High School
Jonathan Alleman Senior OH Yorba Linda, Calif. Esparanza HS
Michael Burke Junior MB Salt Lake City, Utah Skyline HS
Robert Neilson Sophomore S Pacific Palisades, CA Pali HS
Shawn Olmstead Senior L Carpinteria, Calif. Carpinteria HS
Fernando Pessoa Senior OH Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Fluminese