Four Named AVCA All-Southwest Region

NORMAN – Oklahoma volleyball's Ashlynn Dunbar, Keyton Kinley, Kylee McLaughlin and Sarah Sanders were all recognized as American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Southwest Region selections, the AVCA announced Tuesday.

Dunbar and Kinley were placed on the first team, while McLaughlin and Sanders earned honorable mention honors. The four regional accolades match OU's highest total all-time, also achieved in 2014.

In her lone season with the Sooners, Dunbar led the team with 366 kills and 3.70 kills per set. In conference play, Dunbar ranked second with 245 kills and kills per set (4.02). She also finished third with 278.0 points and 4.56 points per set.

The graduate transfer outside hitter totaled double-digit kills in 19 matches, including a career-high 26 in the season finale against TCU. Additionally, she averaged 2.31 digs per set and finished with 12 double-doubles on the year.

A 2018 All-Southwest pick and the Big 12 Libero of the Year for the second straight season, Kinley led the Big 12 with 506 digs and 4.91 digs per set this season. In conference play, she totaled a league-best 288 digs and 4.72 digs per set. Additionally, she anchored the Sooner defense that held its opponents to a .178 hitting percentage in 2019, ranking second in the conference.

Kinley had double-digit digs in 24 of 26 matches this season, including 12 showings with at least 20 digs. She is the first Sooner to earn the conference's Libero of the Year twice and joins Anna Monsen (2006) as the only Sooners to earn the honor.

Also tabbed an All-Southwest pick in 2018, McLaughlin finished the season ranked second in the conference with 1,089 assists, averaging 10.08 assists per set to rank sixth in the Big 12. In conference matches, McLaughlin totaled 595 assists to rank third, producing a 10.08 assists per set average that ranked sixth in the league.

The Carrollton, Texas, product had four performances of at least 50 assists. She also finished with 14 double-doubles this season and 2.53 digs per set. Additionally, the junior powered OU's offense that averaged 12.7 kills per set this season, adding 82 kills herself.

Sanders finished third in the Big 12 with 110 total blocks and sixth in blocks per set (1.06). She also averaged 1.05 blocks per set in conference matches and 64 total blocks, both marks good for fifth in league play.

On the attack, Sanders notched a .245 hitting percentage while finishing second on the team with 268 kills and 2.58 kills per set. The Plano, Texas, native had double-digit kills 11 times during the season.

All four Sooners were also named All-Big 12 First Team honorees last week.

Overall, the Sooners finished third in the conference this season after being selected to finish sixth in the preseason poll. The Sooners won 11 conference matches, the most since 10 in 2014 and swept the season series over five conference opponents, the most since 2012. OU also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014.

For updates, follow @OU_Volleyball on Twitter or like Oklahoma Volleyball on Facebook.