Scorpion sophomore outside hitter Arlene Ferreira has been named to the 2009 Tachikara Volleyball All-America Team as a selection to the First Team, as selected by the NAIA Volleyball All-America Selection Committee.

Freshman middle blocker Valquiria Caboclo was named to the Third Team.

The Scorpions (34-3) were eliminated in the National Championship in the quarterfinals and finished tied for fifth in the nation.

"Arlene was simply amazing for us all year," Scorpion head coach Todd Lowery said. "Her front row presence us so overwhelming that what she does on defense was often overlooked."

Arlene Ferreira (left) and Valquiria Caboclo at NAIA National Tournament

Ferreira showed off her tremendous leaping ability at the NAIA national tournament. She was named the Player of the Year in the Red River Athletic Conference, where she led the league in digs. Ferreira, who grew up in Urberlandia, Brazil, finished the season with identical 4.0 averages in kills per set and digs per set.

"She is the best defensive player I have ever had," Lowery said. "Arlene is everything you want in your go to player. She is clutch at the end of the match and the harder the opponent the better she performs.  On top of that, she is just an enjoyable player to coach and watch."

At the national tournament, the Sao Paulo Brazil native averaged 2.8 kills per match and had the tournament's fifth-highest hitting percentage with a .340 mark.

"Val was a huge part of this team's success," Lowery said. "She was unbelievably consistent and was able to score at such a high percentage. Even playing against the best teams in the country this past week, nobody really seemed to have an answer for her."

For the year, Caboclo averaged 2.55 kills per set and had a hitting percentage of .434, highest in the RRAC and second-highest in the nation. She was named RRAC Freshman of the Year.

"To have a freshman play with as few mistakes as Val did all year is was a pleasant surprise," Lowery said. "I don't feel that I could have a better middle block.  Her work ethic in practice and during the game is unmatched.  She has been an great asset to our program."