Van Gorp, Brandt Earn AVCA All-Region Honors

AMES, Iowa – Two Cyclones received AVCA All-Region honors, announced Tuesday. Libero Rachel Van Gorp earned AVCA All-Region, while setter Morgan Brandt picked up honorable mention for the Central Region. Both earn the first AVCA honors of their careers.

The duo were key pieces in Iowa State ending regular season ranking first in digs, assists and kills. ISU now totals 52 all-region honors.

Van Gorp, just a sophomore, had a star season earning unanimous Big 12 Libero of the Year, All-Big 12 First Team and two Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week awards. Van Gorp's defense was crucial in Iowa State's four ranked victories, the most for the Cyclones since 2012.

The Olathe, Kan. native ended her streak of 35 matches with double figure digs in the NCAA Tournament Second Round, and had 11 20-plus and two 30-plus dig matches. In ISU's first round win vs. St. Thomas, Van Gorp had the second-most digs by a Cyclone in tournament match with 33. Van Gorp also served four aces, the third-most at the tournament. Van Gorp ends her season totaling 556 digs, 120 assists and 37 aces while dialing in a reception percentage of .980.

Brandt adds AVCA All-Region to her resume including Big 12 Setter of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team. The setter had an 1,000-assist season and led the Cyclones to hit at .245 through 2025, the fourth-highest in program history. This season Brandt totaled 1,098 assists, 220 digs, 71 kills, 26 blocks and 21 aces.

Brandt ends her ISU career ranked at No. 4 with 3,787 assists. The Sumner, Iowa native also ranks fourth on the NCAA Tournament ISU record list with 134 assists through her career.