FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for volleyball. A total of 34 student-athletes have been named to the USA South All-Conference teams with four Methodist players earning recognition.
Christopher Newport University's Caitlyn Jansen has been named the Player of the Year, her teammate Kara Elder was named Rookie of the Year and their coach, Lindsay Birth, was tabbed Coach of the Year. The Libero of the Year went to Averett University's Marie Keatts. Also, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team consisting of one member from each competing school. All awards are voted on by the volleyball coach at each institution.
Methodist freshman middle blocker
Stephanie Wood was named to the First Team, the Monarchs' first player to receive First Team honors since 2002. Wood paced the team through the regular season averaging more than three kills per set and 25 solo blocks along with 47 block assists.
Sophomore setter
Kayci Miller has been named to the Second Team in her first season with the Monarchs. Miller finished the regular season with 1,026 assists already ranking third in Methodist history with the USA South Tournament still to play. Sophomore
Jalesty Washington earned her second consecutive All-Conference honors receiving Third Team recognition. Washington finished with 308 kills during the regular season to average 2.88 per set. Senior libero
Jordan Grady was an Honorable Mention selection after leading the team with 3.85 digs per set this season through 28 regular season matches.
Methodist sophomore
Kristen Robinson was selected to represent the Monarchs on the All-Sportsmanship Team. Showing dedication and commitment to the program, Robinson saw action in nearly 40 sets with 25 digs this season.
The Monarchs won the first round of the USA South Tournament to advance to the semifinals against Christopher Newport on Friday. The team has already won 19 games this season, the most in more than 15 years.
Player of the Year
Caitlyn Jansen - Christopher Newport
Rookie of the Year
Kara Elder - Christopher Newport
Libero of the Year
Marie Keatts - Averett
Coach of the Year
Lindsay Birch - Christopher Newport
The 2009 USA South Volleyball All-Conference Teams follow:
First Team
Kara Elder - Christopher Newport
Jessica Flanagan - Ferrum
Brittany Insley - N.C. Wesleyan
Caitlyn Jansen - Christopher Newport
Mackenzie Tingle - N.C. Wesleyan
Stephanie Wood - Methodist
Second Team
Shannon Andy - Averett
Bailey Jensen - Christopher Newport
Cory Harris - Christopher Newport
Jessie Heavenrich - Christopher Newport
Jordan Maupin - Averett
Kayci Miller - Methodist
Third Team
Kacie Hyatt - Greensboro
Jesse Jones - Averett
Meredith Smith - N.C. Wesleyan
Kayla Trippeer - Ferrum
Jalesty Washington - Methodist
Morgan White - Meredith
Honorable Mention
Elizabeth Evanoff - Peace
Kelly George - N.C. Wesleyan
Jordan Grady - Methodist
Marie Keatts - Averett
Sha McDuffie - Greensboro
Rachel Shumaker - Ferrum
All-Sportsmanship Team
Marie Keatts - Averett
Rebecca Dancy - Christopher Newport
Jenni Carter - Ferrum
Laura Borawski - Greensboro
Anna Schueren - Mary Baldwin
Emily Anderson - Meredith
Kristen Robinson - Methodist
Anna Hart - N.C. Wesleyan
Amber Lowe - Peace
Rachel Maki - Shenandoah