INDIANAPOLIS --- For a second time in her career, Tusculum's Caitlyn Dean has been named the NCAA Division II national statistical champion for digs per set announced officials Tuesday with the release of the final 2012 volleyball statistics.

Dean, a junior libero/defensive specialist from Fort Wayne, Ind., established a pair of DII single-season records this year. Her 932 total digs are a new national record (25-point scoring format), smashing the previous mark of 842, which Dean posted during her 2010 freshman campaign. Her 7.77 digs per set average is a new DII record, breaking the previous-best of 7.23 posted by Kristen Hager of West Virginia State in 2008.

Dean captured the 2010 national statistical title with her 7.1 digs per set average as she posted 845 digs in 119 sets played.

The two-time All-America First Team honoree became the school's all-time digs leader earlier this season and currently has 2,461 to her credit, which are currently second in South Atlantic Conference history and 20th in NCAA II history. She will enter next season needing 89 digs for the conference record and 646 to become the NCAA's all-time leader.

The Pioneers completed a magical run in the NCAA Tournament as Tusculum defeated Lincoln Memorial and top-seed Armstrong to advance to the Southeast Region title match. TC ended its season with a 24-8 overall record and played in the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.

As a team, the Pioneers finished second in the nation in digs per set, averaging 21.32 per frame. TC is also 40th in won-loss percentage (.750), 55th in kills per set (12.98 kps), 70th in assists (11.89 apg) and 95th in hitting percentage (.198).

Junior setter Ashley Sarmiento finished first in the conference and 80th in the nation in assists per set, dishing out 9.36 helpers per set this season. The two-time All-Region selection finished 2012 with 1086 assists as she has recorded over 1,000 in each of her Tusculum campaigns. The Dayton, Ohio native has recorded 3,453 career digs at Tusculum, which are second in school history.

Dean and Sarmiento were both named to the All-SAC Team and NCAA Southeast Region All-Tournament Team.

Sarmiento and Dean have also shined in the classroom as both were named to the Capital One Academic All-District Team. Sarmiento was also the 2012 recipient of the SAC Scholar Athlete Award for Volleyball.

The Pioneers posted program's seventh consecutive winning season and the fifth 20-win campaign in the last seven years. Tusculum has recorded 20 more wins on 21 occasions in the storied program's history.

- NCAA -

2012 NCAA Division II Digs Per Set Leaders (Individual)
Rk Player, School Sets Digs DPS
1 Caitlyn Dean, Tusculum 120 932 7.77
2 Michelle Hundt, St. Edward's 103 710 6.89
3 Jenny Young, Catawba 108 728 6.74
4 Jordan Jenkins, Tiffin 84 543 6.46
5 Samantha Hutchinson, Western Washington 96 615 6.41
6 Katy Ness, Minnesota St.-Moorhead 110 694 6.31
7 Danae Eckart, Texas Permian Basin 82 499 6.09
8 Tori Beckman, Northwest Missouri St. 119 716 6.02
9 Erin Compton, Montana St.-Billings 96 577 6.01
10 Mackenzie Phillips, Grand Canyon 111 661 5.95

2012 NCAA Division II Digs Per Set Leaders (Team)
Rk Team Sets Digs DPS
1 Oakland City 119 2598 21.83
2 TUSCULUM 120 2558 21.32
3 Nebraska-Kearney 127 2687 21.16
4 Angelo St. 125 2573 20.58
5 St. Edward's 106 2072 19.55
6 Wingate 122 2359 19.34
7 Arkansas-Fort Smith 107 2044 19.10
8 Lewis 142 2705 19.05
9 Missouri S&T 121 2289 18.92
10 St. Mary's (Texas) 106 1994 18.81