NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport University volleyball team was well-represented today, placing a record seven players on the All-Conference Team announced today by the USA South. Senior setter
Jessie Heavenrich became just CNU's second ever two-time Conference Player of the Year as she helped CNU sweep the four major volleyball conference awards.
Heavenrich earned Player of the Year honors and was joined by junior defensive specialist
Abby Hogge as Libero of the Year, freshman right side
Jessie Kolden as Rookie of the Year and
Lindsay Birch as Coach of the Year.
Heavenrich earns her second consecutive Player of the Year nod after finishing second in the conference in assists per set (9.42), while leading all setters with 0.54 blocks per set during the regular season. She contributed 2.51 digs per set and 46 kills to go with 30 service aces this season. The All-American earned her second straight First Team and fourth All-Conference honor.
Hogge also became just the second player in CNU history to earn Libero of the Year honors, doing so in back-to-back seasons. The junior from Clifton, Va. compiled 515 total digs against top-tiered competition this season, helping lead CNU to a 31-4 overall record. She was named the National Player of the Week earlier this season and was the USA South Defensive Player of the Week four times.
Kolden stepped in as a freshman and helped the Captains post a league-best .256 hitting percentage as a team. The rookie played an integral role in CNU's success, hitting .221 with an average of 2.26 kills per set during the regular season. Against the USA South, her hitting percentage sky-rocketed to .368, ranking fourth in the conference, with 2.78 kills per set. She also earned Third Team All-Conference honors in her first year.
Birch collected her sixth Conference Coach of the Year honor in just her tenth season at the helm for CNU. The Captains once again were undefeated in USA South action, compiling a perfect 18-0 record for the fifth consecutive season. She has now led the Captains to 98 straight wins over the USA South in regular season action, a streak dating back to September 26, 2006. She has helped guide the Captains to a 30-4 overall record and a No. 7 national ranking.
This season, the Captains collected a record seven All-Conference honors. Joining Heavenrich on the First team are juniors
Christie Fellows and
Bailey Jensen. Fellows averaged 2.30 kils per set and hit .316 for the Captains this season, while Jensen added 2.48 kills per set and hit .341. Jensen also led the team in blocks with 110, averaging 1.01 per set.
Three Captains earned Second Team All-Conference honors, as senior
Chelsea McClure and junior
Cory Harris joined Hogge. Kolden rounded out the Conference honors with the Third Team selection and rookie
Jess Fedderson was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
For the complete USA South release,
click here.
The 2011 USA South Volleyball All-Conference Team:
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First Team
Christie Fellows - Christopher Newport
Jessie Heavenrich - Christopher Newport
Bailey Jensen - Christopher Newport
Cori Spade - Meredith
Allison Sparks - Averett
Mackenzie Tingle - N.C. Wesleyan
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Second Team
Cory Harris - Christopher Newport
Abby Hogge - Christopher Newport
Chelsea McClure - Christopher Newport
Kayci Miller - Methodist
Meredith Smith - N.C. Wesleyan
Stephanie Wood - Methodist
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Third Team
Paige Aaron - Averett
Shana Ayers - N.C. Wesleyan
Jessie Kolden - Christopher Newport
Haley Smith - Shenandoah
Sarah Sparks - Averett
Jalesty Washington - Methodist
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Honorable Mention
Nicole Barringer - Averett
Lauren Bramble - Methodist
Mary Harshman - Shenandoah
Jesse Jones - Averett
Molly Markley - Meredith
Danielle Simpson - Greensboro
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All-Sportsmanship Team
Brittany Moore - Averett
Jess Fedderson - Christopher Newport
Kellee Lewis - Ferrum
Heather Taylor - Greensboro
Sara Valdivieso - Mary Baldwin
Rebecca Yow - Meredith
Brittany McCoy - Methodist
Anna Hart - N.C. Wesleyan
Maggie Morris - Peace
Brooke Strathy - Shenandoah |
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