Duke’s Elizabeth Williams earns fourth All-America honor

Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network
Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network
Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network

DURHAM, N.C. –  Duke Blue Devils forward Elizabeth Williams became the first four-time All-America in school history, after receiving second team accolades by espnW, as announced by the school on Saturday.

Williams earned Associated Press All-America accolades along with other honors her first three years.

This is the first All-America distinction of the 2014-15 season that has been released.

Alana Beard was a three-time All-America for the Blue Devils as the next closest Duke standout.

Williams heads into the 2015 NCAA Tournament averaging 14.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.9 blocks and 1.6 steals for the Blue Devils.

She currently ranks 16th in the NCAA in blocks and currently leads all centers nationally with a 2.5 assist per game average.

The six-foot-three-inch, four-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year owns 10 double-doubles on the year, including five in ACC action.

On the espnW First Team All-America squad was Nina Davis (Baylor), Jewell Loyd (Notre Dame), Tiffany Mitchell (South Carolina), Breanna Stewart (UConn) and Amanda Zahui B. (Minnesota).

Listed on the Second Team along with Williams was Moriah Jefferson (UConn), Samantha Logic (Iowa), Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio State) and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (UConn).

Williams became just the second Duke standout to be listed on the All-ACC first team four times earlier this month and was the first four-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year selection.

Williams and Beard are the only two Duke players to earn four All-ACC Defensive Team honors as well.

In the ACC stats, Williams ranks 10th in scoring (14.7), seventh in rebounding (8.9), tied 11th in field goal percentage (49.3) and first in blocked shots (2.9).

She is coming off being named to the All-ACC Tournament First Team Sunday, following averaging 13 points, 12 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and three assists in two games for the Blue Devils.

It marked the third straight season Williams has earned the honor.

Duke awaits its at-large bid in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, making its 22nd overall trip to the postseason – the 21st straight season doing so.