Cristina Pintilie Named Honorable Mention All-Mideast Region

12/8/04 -- Senior middle blocker Cristina Pintilie (Cluj Napoca, Romania), who enjoyed a phenomenal three-year career for Long Island University’s volleyball team, was named honorable mention All-Mideast Region by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

Pintilie put forth another solid year in helping the Blackbirds (32-7, 7-1 NEC) win their first Northeast Conference title and gain their first NCAA Tournament berth. The three-time first team All-NEC selection and the 2003 NEC Player of the Year closed second in the league this season with 4.01 kills per game and third with a .357 hitting percentage. Pintilie this year also totaled 2.07 digs per game, 38 solo blocks and 53 aces.

Her effort went a long way in LIU posting an 11-match winning streak late this season, culminating with a 3-0 victory at Robert Morris on November 21 to win the NEC crown. Pintilie was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player by finishing with 24 kills, 19 digs and 7 1/2 blocks over two matches.

The Blackbirds loss to fourth-ranked Minnesota, 3-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on December 2 marked the end of Pintilie’s career as one of the school’s most dominant players. She leaves as the team’s all-time leader with 2,037 kills, 170 aces and 213 blocks.

The award is one of many presented to LIU this season. Senior setter Ivana Vasiljevic (Brcko, Bosnia & Herzegovina) was tabbed second team CoSIDA University Division Academic All-District I along with being named All-NEC. Sophomore outside hitter Dana Demayo (Ra’anana, Israel) was named All-NEC and junior outside hitter Melanie Fleig (Villingen, Germany) was selected second team all-league.

AVCA previously has cited the Blackbirds this season, ranking them 15th in the Mideast Region for the school’s first regional honor.