HICKORY, N.C. — Catawba Valley Community College sophomore outside hitter Aasia McNeill was named a first team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) on Wednesday.

McNeill, who becomes the 41st All-American for the Red Hawks, said the news came as a surprise after her teammates posted the announcement in a group chat.

"It was definitely a shock," she said. "It is definitely a huge honor, and it was a blessing that the NJCAA selected me."

A Statesville native, McNeill tallied a team-high 255 kills and 3.31 kills per set this season for the Red Hawks. She also finished second for CVCC in hitting percentage (.293), digs (231) and digs per set (3.00).

McNeill gives all the credit to her teammates for her performance on the court this spring.

"Personally, I feel like our team has helped me push myself to be a better me on the court," she said.

Behind McNeill's play, the Red Hawks finished their season with a 21-5 overall record, including a 10-0 mark in Region 10 play — extending their winning streak in conference games to 156 in a row and in Region matches (Division I, II and III) to 195 straight.

Catawba Valley also advanced to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament for a 10th time, finishing in eighth place — the second-highest national finish in program history.

"As a team, I believe that we achieved the unachievable," McNeill said. "After having our season pushed to the spring and having to adjust our normal volleyball schedule because of COVID, I would say that we have triumphed through what most teams haven't. Staying positive and continuining to push through in spite of all of that was a major team achievement."

McNeill joins a list of former Red Hawk volleyball players who have earned All-American status, including Terri Ferber (2007-08), Jennifer Beatty (2012-13), Mariah Wallace (2016-17), Megan Fair (2015-17) and Emma Clark (2018-20).