2006 (JUNIOR): In her third year as a defensive specialist with the Aggies, Briana Akrie made an appearance in all 37 matches. She played in 120 games and recorded 181 digs and averaged 1.51 digs per game last season. In the Aggies final match of year against Colorado in the NCAA Tournament (11/30), Akrie tallied seven digs, which moved her to eighth on the NMSU career-dig list (1,006). She recorded a dig in every match of the 2006 season while playing in 120 games. As a steady force in the back row, Akrie had a season-high three assists against Idaho (9/21) in the first WAC match of the year, which was a three-game sweep. The following week, she had a season-high 10 digs and three assists in the Aggies first loss of the season versus Nevada in five-games (9/30). Akrie broke that mark in the quarterfinal match of the WAC Tournament against Boise State (11/22) in Reno, Nev. Akrie recorded 11 digs in the four-game win.
2005 (SOPHOMORE): Akrie played in all 27 matches for the Aggies in 2005 and recorded three starts in the back row as a defensive specialist. She finished second on the team in digs (247) and digs per game (2.52). Akrie recorded at least seven digs in 22 of the Aggies' 27 matches, including the final 11 of the season. She topped the double-digit digs mark nine times, including a season-high 19 digs at Boise State (10/27). Offensively, Akrie finished the season tied for fifth on the team in service aces with 23. She also recorded at least one service ace 16 times, including doing so in 10 of the final 13 matches, and had a streak of seven consecutive matches with an ace from Oct. 22 to Nov. 10. In the season opener versus I-25 rival New Mexico (8/25), Akrie solidified the defensive effort with 10 digs as NMSU swept the Lobos in three games. In the championship match of the Hilton Las Cruces Classic against Cincinnati (9/3), Akrie tallied another double-digit digs performance as she finished with 18 digs in a four-game win over the Bearcats. In two matches at the UTEP Invitational, Akrie averaged 8.5 digs per match in sweeps over Troy (9/10) and I-10 rival UTEP (9/10). In the Aggies' first WAC match at the Pan American Center, Akrie dug nine balls and added a service ace as NMSU defeated Fresno State (9/29), 3-1. In her first ever showdown with Hawai'i (10/1), Akrie finished with eight digs as the Aggies fell just short of victory, losing in five games. Two weeks later at Fresno State (10/13) Akrie again registered nine digs as the Aggies swept the Bulldogs in three games. Akrie was at it again as the back row dynamo notched 12 digs and added two service aces in a sweep of Boise State (10/22). Akrie finished her sophomore season strong as she averaged 10.3 digs per match during the month of November, including four double-figure dig matches in the final eight contests. In her second match against Hawai'i (11/17), Akrie recorded 14 digs in a tough five-game loss to the Rainbow Wahine. In her first WAC Championships, Akrie averaged 10 digs in two matches as the Aggies advanced to the semifinals. In a quarterfinals match-up with San Jose State (11/24), Akrie stifled the Spartan attack as she racked up 12 kills in the 3-1 win.
2004 (FRESHMAN): Akrie played in all 33 matches at the libero position as a true freshman. She was named second team All-Sun Belt after finishing the season ranked second in the conference in digs and digs per game. Akrie registered double-digit digs in 30 of the Aggies' 33 matches while earning team high honors in digs 24 times. She led the club in digs (578) and ranked No. 38 in the nation in digs per game (5.16). Her 578 digs also set the single-season school record. She tallied 20-plus digs on fifteen occasions and recorded a career-high 32 digs in a 3-1 win at North Texas (10/5). Offensively, Akrie also had a solid year at the service line as she finished sixth on the team with 32 aces. She registered at least one ace in 19 matches, including a span of six matches in a row and notched multiple aces on nine occasions. Akrie's collegiate career got off to a great start as she registered double-digit digs in nine of her first 10 matches. Akrie led the Aggie defense with a match-high 25 digs as NMSU swept I-25 rival New Mexico in Albuquerque (9/14). Two weeks later, Akrie again notched a match-high 24 digs against I-10 rival UTEP at the Pan American Center. In just her second career conference match, Akrie backstopped the Aggies to a three-game sweep at New Orleans (9/26) with a match-high 28 digs. Over the next nine matches, Akrie continued to lead the defensive corps as she tallied double-digit digs 10 straight matches. She was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week (10/11) after registering two 20-plus dig performances against Denver (21) and at Arkansas-Little Rock (25). A week later, against Sun Belt Conference rival Western Kentucky, Akrie again notched a match-high 24 digs as the Aggies swept the Lady Toppers for the first time in school history. In the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, Akrie was at the top of her game as she helped the Aggies to their second consecutive Sun Belt Conference Tournament title. Against North Texas in the first round, Akrie recorded a match-high 24 digs as the Aggies came from a game down to win the match in four. In the second round against host New Orleans, Akrie tallied 16 digs and a kill as the Aggies moved on to the conference championship match. In a rematch with Western Kentucky in the title match, Akrie once again led the way with a match-high 22 digs as NMSU swept past the Toppers for the second time in 2004.
HIGH SCHOOL: Akrie is a 2004 graduate of Grandview High School in Aurora, Colo. She finished her senior year with 198 digs and 34 service aces in 80 games played, averaging 2.48 digs per game. Akrie recorded two matches with five or more aces, including one seven-ace performance (9/13/03). She helped the Wolves to the Colorado Final Four as a junior and a senior while earning all-conference honors both seasons. In 2003 Akrie guided Grandview to a Colorado state runner-up finish.
PERSONAL: Briana Marie Akrie was born in Aurora, Colo., and is the daughter of Eric and Tokie Akrie. Briana is majoring in elementary education.
