Hood, an outside hitter, led the Judges in kills this season, averaging 3.60 kills per set, third in the UAA. She also finished third on the squad with a .198 hitting percentage. Hood, who started 31 of 32 matches this season, reached double figures in kills 26 times and had four 20-kill performances. Hood led the Judges in kills 29 times and recorded two double-doubles – Sept. 12 at Endicott College (15 kills, 12 digs) and Oct. 20 at Smith (15 kills, 11 digs). She was named to the All-Tournament team at the 2012 Hall of Fame Invitational at Smith and Mount Holyoke on Oct. 19-20. Hood's 3.42 kills-per-set average over her first two seasons currently ranks third on Brandeis's all-time list, while her 3.60 average this season is fifth in school history.
Bernaiche, a libero, was Brandeis's top defensive player in 2012, averaging 4.85 digs per set, ranking her sixth in the UAA. A skilled server, Bernaiche also tied for the Judges' lead with 33 service aces, with her 0.28 aces per set ranking 17th in the UAA. Bernaiche earned on All-Tournament accolade this season, at the Western Connecticut State University Invitational that opened the campaign on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. She led Brandeis in digs in every match but three this season, reaching double figures in 30 of 32 matches and 20 or more digs 12 times. Bernaiche's 528 digs this season are currently the second-highest total in school history, while her 4.85 digs-per-set for this season and 4.58 career average currently top the Judges' career list.
In head coach Michelle Kim's ninth season at the helm, the Brandeis volleyball team ended its regular season with a 19-13 record, 1-8 and seventh place in the UAA. They doubled their win total from 2011 and reached the postseason for the first time since 2009, earning the top seed in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III tournament. They will host 12-12 Albertus Magnus College in a quarterfinal match on Friday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m., a match postponed from Nov. 7 because of inclement weather. The semifinals and finals will be hosted at the site of the highest remaining seed on Saturday, Nov. 10. If Brandeis advances, the semifinals will be played at 10 a.m. and noon, with the finals to follow at 2 p.m.
Hood is a 2011 graduate of Albuquerque Academy. She is the daughter of James and Jacqueline Hood, Albuquerque, N.M.
Bernaiche is a 2011 graduate of Southington High School. She is the daughter of Joseph and Jennifer Bernaiche, Plantsville, Conn.
For more information about Brandeis volleyball, please visit our web site at http://www.brandeisjudges.com/sports/wvball.
For the complete AVCA All-Region team, please click here: http://www.avca.org/awards/regional-awards/division-three/
For the complete UAA All-Association team, please click here: http://www.uaa.rochester.edu/Volleyball/12%20VB%20All-Assoc.pdf
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