LEXINGTON, KY - Following their historic 2023 campaigns, Johns Hopkins volleyball's Simrin Carlsen and Helena Swaak have been tabbed AVCA All-Americans, as released by the association this afternoon. Carlsen becomes just the third player in program history to be named a First Team All-American while Swaak did more than enough to stake her claim on the All-America Third Team in her sophomore season. This marks just the seventh time in program history Hopkins has had multiple student-athletes earn All-American honors.
 
Carlsen joins Natalie Aston and Simone Bliss as the third First Team All-American in program history, adding to her already impressive resume that includes the 2023 Centennial Conference Player of the Year, All-Region First Team and the Baltimore Regional's Most Outstanding Player. The junior has been the driving force of the Blue Jays' attack all season, averaging 4.52 kills and 5.16 points per set, both of which rank eighth in the nation. 
 
The Edison, N.J. native's currently ranks as the fifth most kills in a single season in program history at 447 and sits just seven away from moving into third all-time and the most since 2000. Her 4.52 kills per set would also rank as the second most in a single season in program history behind only Mary Alexis Paul's mark of 4.80 set in 2000. The junior is putting together this historic offensive season while also averaging career-best marks in hitting percentage (.298) and digs per set (3.10), and has more matches in which she has registered at least 20 kills (7) than matches in which she totaled less than 10 (4). 
 
Carlsen's season has been highlighted by breaking a trio of program records, including most kills in a five-set match (27) in the team's win over Stevenson, highest hitting percentage when attempting between 15-19 attacks (.889) in Hopkins' sweep of Bryn Mawr and the most kills in an NCAA Tournament match (26) in their Second-Round victory over Middlebury.
 
Swaak put together an equally impressive season en route to becoming just the second sophomore in program history to earn Third Team All-American distinction. The McLean, VA native is averaging 10.92 assists per set, which ranks sixth in the nation and would be the fourth highest mark in a single season in program history behind only Amanda Lewis. Swaak has surpassed the 1,000 and 2,000 career assists marks in 2023, with her 1,168 assists on the year serving as the fifth-most in a single season all time — the most since 2007 — and placing her just 22 helpers away from moving into the top three.
 
The sophomore recorded the most assists in a four-set match in all of Division III with her 59-assist effort in the program's win over Colorado College and broke the program record for assists in an NCAA match when she totaled 53 in Hopkins' Second-Round win over Middlebury. With Swaak at the helm the Blue Jays rank fifth in the country in hitting percentage (.268) and third in kills per set (13.96). Paired with her offensive contributions, the sophomore has also totaled 40 service aces, 39 blocks and 2.35 digs per set, all of which rank in the top five on the team.
 
Carlsen and Swaak are back in action Wednesday, Nov. 29 when they take on Hope College in the Elite 8, with first serve set for 7:30 p.m. EST.