Gophers volleyball players Dixon, Wittman named to All-America teams

Gophers middle blocker Tori Dixon is a first-team All-America and senior hitter Ashley Wittman a second-teamer, the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced Wednesday.

Dixon, a 6-3 senior, received her second consecutive All-America honor; she was a second-team pick last season. In her career, Dixon has been a three-time all-Big Ten selection, twice as a unanimous pick. This season she led the Gophers in sets played (125), kills (457), kills per set (3.66), hitting percentage (.399), blocks (161), blocks per set (1.29) and points (570.5). Dixon ranks No. 1 in Gophers history in hitting percentage (.369), fifth in blocks (507) and ninth in kills (1,479).

Wittman, a 6-foot senior, was a unanimous all-Big Ten selection this season, ranking second on the team in kills (423), kills per set (3.41) and points (477) and first in attempts (1,062) and digs (425). She ranks sixth in Gophers history in kills (1,778) and fourth in digs (1,510).

Tickets for the inaugural North Star College Cup at Xcel Energy Center went on sale Wednesday.

The event, scheduled for Jan. 24-25, 2014, pits four men's college hockey teams that were rivals in the WCHA before the Big Ten and NCHC were formed. Games Jan. 24 pit Minnesota State Mankato (WCHA) and Minnesota Duluth (NCHC) at 4 p.m. and the Gophers (Big Ten) and St. Cloud State (NCHC) at 7. Saturday's games will be a consolation game at 4 p.m. and the championship game at 7 p.m.