Christopher Newport University

DANVILLE, VA – Christopher Newport volleyball player Liz Bush was named the Virginia Sports Information Director’s College Division State Player of the Year while Head Coach Lindsay Birch was named Coach of the Year.

Bush was a First Team All-USA South pick as well as a First Team All-South Region selection. She also became the first player in program history to be named Second Team All-American. Bush was also selected to the USA South’s All-Tournament squad.

She finished the year with 295 kills and a hitting percentage of .311. Bush totaled 49 digs and 67 total blocks.

Birch takes home her fourth State Coach of the Year award. She was also named the USA South’s Coach of the Year. The Captains finished 33-7 in 2008, which tied the school record for the most wins in a season. She also guided her squad to an 18-0 record in USA South play for the second straight season. CNU captured its seventh regular season title in eight seasons and the Captains also won the USA South Tournament for the sixth time in eight years.

Joining Bush on the First Team were teammates Ellen Koch and Allie Wolfe.

Koch was named the USA South’s Player of the Year and was also a First Team All-USA South pick. She was also named to the USA South’s All-Tournament team. Koch led the Captains with 365 kills. She added 196 digs and 47 total blocks.

Wolfe was also a First Team All-Conference selection. She was also named the USA South Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Wolfe also took home Honorable Mention All-American honors and was a First Team All-South pick. She finished with 355 kills, 46 aces, 442 digs and 43 total blocks.

Player of the Year – Liz Bush, Christopher Newport
Rookie of the Year – Rachel Fertitta, Emory & Henry
Coach of the Year – Lindsay Birch, Christopher Newport