University of South Alabama Athletics

AT SOUTH ALABAMA
JUNIOR SEASON (2011):  Started all 28 matches for South Alabama and competed in every set at the setter position…Led the team in assists with 9.85 assists per set - which ranked third in the SBC…Recorded 30 or more assists in 21 matches for the Jags…Of those, had eight 40-assists matches and a season-high 50 versus Louisiana-Monroe (9/24)…Was also solid defensively, finishing with 10 double-digit dig matches, including a career-best 18 against North Texas (10/21)…Registered a team-high 10 double-doubles…Was named to the Jaguar Classic all-tournament squad after averaging 39 assists and nine digs a match during the three-match stretch…Ranked second on the team in service aces with 24 and fourth in total blocks with 45 — two solo blocks and 43 block assists…Had a season-high six kills on four occasions, including in the season-finale versus Florida Atlantic (11/13)…Posted a career-best .913 setting percentage (42 assist, 46 attempts) against Alabama State (9/9)…Awarded the volleyball team’s “Making a Difference” award at the athletic department’s Pete Tolbert Night of Champions awards ceremony during the spring of 2012…Named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List.

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2010):  Missed the first 18 matches of the season, while regaining her eligibility…Played in first collegiate match versus Arkansas State (10/3)…Played in 46 sets and 14 matches for the Jags…Started the final 12 of the season at the setter position…Recorded 421 assists and averaged 9.15 assists and 1.78 digs per set…Chipped in with 12 block assists and 10 aces…Posted a serving percentage of .915…Had four 40-plus assists matches — 47 at Troy (10/15) and 40 at Middle Tennessee (11/5) — while also posting two 50-plus assist matches with 50 at Florida Atlantic (11/12) and a season-best 52 versus Florida International (10/29)…Posted four kills and a season-high 20 digs at Troy…Named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List.

FRESHMAN SEASON (2009):  Sat out the entire 2009 season due to eligibility issues, but was allowed to practice with the team…Named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List.

PRIOR TO SOUTH ALABAMA: Lettered in volleyball at High School of Pihitipudas in Pihitpudas, Finland…Member of two National High School Championship teams during her prep career…Has played club ball for Pihtiputaan Ploki and Pihtiputaan Pislaploki…Started out as an outside hitter and middle blocker, but moved to the setter position the past few years…In 2006, helped club team finish third in the Finnish Women’s Championship league…Was also a member of three Junior League National Championship teams…Junior team finished third twice…Earned a Gold Medal and two Silver Medals with the Junior National Team at the Nordic Championships…Was a four-time all-star award winner at the Finnish Junior Championships…Selected as the top female athlete in her town in 2007…Was named the top setter at the 2004 Junior Nordic Championships.

PERSONAL: Anna Katariina Kananen…Born in Pihtipudas, Finland…Daughter of  Jukka Kananen and Pirkko Kivivuori…Second of three children in her family…Has one older sister and one younger sister…Also has a younger brother that is a foster child of the family…Favorite movie is “The Pursuit of Happyness”…Lists her favorite book as “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho…Favorite foods are spicy foods, homemade pizza, chicken salad and ice cream…Majoring in finance.