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Four locals land on AVCA All-American teams

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Two UC Irvine standouts and two others out of Newport Harbor High have been recognized on the American Volleyball Coaches’ Assn. All-American teams in men’s volleyball.

UC Irvine stars Carson Clark and Kevin Tillie were named to the first team, as was former Sailor Kyle Caldwell of UCLA.

Weston Dunlap, a UCLA senior who played at Newport Harbor, was a second-team honoree.

Clark, a 6-foot-6 opposite, is a four-time All-American, having also earned first-team honors in 2010. He was a second-team choice in 2011 and 2009, the latter when he helped the Anteaters earn the program’s second NCAA title.

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Clark is the school’s all-time leader and kills (1,797 entering Thursday) and service aces (172). He ranks third in the nation in aces (0.53 per set), is 10th in hitting percentage (.335) and 11th in kills (3.72 per set).

Clark is the only player to earn first-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation recognition all four seasons.

Tillie, a 6-6 outside hitter who is a native of France and who played his first two collegiate seasons in Canada, ranked third in the country heading into Thursday in hitting percentage (.393). He averages 3.60 kills and 4.18 points per set to help the Anteaters win 22 of their first 27 matches and earn the No. 2 national ranking.

Caldwell, a 6-9 senior setter who is a first-time All-American, amassed 1,023 assists for the Bruins. He added 131 kills and hit .440 while contributing 22 aces. His setting helped UCLA hit .321 as a team to rank third in the nation.

Dunlap, a 6-8 middle blocker, is also a first-time All-American. He hit .461 to lead the nation for a second straight season, while posting 100 total blocks and 10 aces.

— From staff reports

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