Allocco, Cooke Named to All-Region Team
Nazareth volleyball standouts Maria Allocco ’15 and Aubrey Cooke ’13 were Nazareth’s representatives on the New York Region all-star teams that were released in November by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Allocco, a sophomore middle blocker, and Cooke, a senior setter, also were honored as honorable mention All-Americans.
Allocco, of Ballston Lake, N.Y. and a graduate of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, ranked among the national leaders with a .376 hitting percentage that was generated from a team-best 339 kills. She also had 43 service aces and 100 blocks. Allocco helped the Golden Flyers capture their second straight Empire 8 Conference title as she was named tournament MVP.
Cooke, of Rochester, N.Y. and a graduate of Our Lady of Mercy High School, was one of the area’s most versatile players. She produced 129 kills, 628 assists, 213 digs, and 66 blocks. She also was named to the Empire 8 all-tournament team after helping Nazareth to wins over Elmira and Stevens.
Allocco and Cooke also were first-team Empire 8 Conference all-star selections along with outside hitter Amy Johnson ’13. In addition, Brittany Crocetti ’13 was named Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year and Cal Wickens was named Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.
Crocetti was named to the second team and outside hitter Chelsea Beecher ’15 made honorable mention. In addition, Kat Race ’15 was Nazareth’s representative as E8 Sportswoman of the Year.
Johnson, of Lockport, N.Y. and a graduate of Lockport High School, also was named to the E8 all-tournament team and finished second on the team overall with 292 kills in 2012. Her stats also included a .246 hitting percentage with 63 service aces and a team-high 127 blocks.
Crocetti, of Rochester, N.Y. and a graduate Irondequoit High School, posted team highs in assists (766), service aces (65), and digs (383). Beecher, of Albion, N.Y. and a graduate of Albion High School, had 184 kills for the Golden Flyers to go with 36 service aces and 199 digs.
Wickens, in his 10th season as coach of the women's volleyball team at Nazareth, helped the Golden Flyers to an overall record of 22-14, including conference tournament wins over Elmira and Stevens for the Golden Flyers’ fifth E8 title. He has a career record of 224-149 and also was named E8 Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2011.
Maria Allocco '15