Queensborough's Beniquez, Veliz Thol Earn NJCAA All-America Nods

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Dec. 7, 2018) - After a year in which the Tigers won a third-straight NJCAA Region XV Championship and District G title, Queensborough Community College sophomore outside hitter Paola Beniquez and sophomore setter Maria Veliz Thol were named to the NJCAA Division III All-America Team on Tuesday. Beniquez, who repeated as the CUNYAC and NJCAA Region XV Player of the Year in 2018, earned a spot on the NJCAA All-Amerca First Team for the second-straight season. Beniquez wrapped up her sophomore campaign with a team-leading 302 kills on a .326 attack percentage. She also led the nation in service aces (157) and averaged the second-most service aces per set (1.57) in NJCAA Division III. In addition, Beniquez put down double-digit kills in three of Queensborough's four matches at the NJCAA Division III National Championship, en route to being selected to the All-Tournament Team. Veliz Thol established herself as one of the top setters in the country, claiming NJCAA All-America Honorable Mention praise. Veliz Thol was one of just five setters named to the NJCAA All-America roster. Veliz Thol placed second amongst Region XV leaders in assists (869) in 2018 and ranked 15th in the nation for that same category. Her average of 8.78 assists per set led all players in the region.