Carson-Newman Volleyball To Face Lenoir-Rhyne In 2009 Food Lion SAC Tournament Quarterfinals
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – After finishing
second in South Atlantic Conference play for the second straight
year, the Carson-Newman College Volleyball team must now turn their
attention to tournament time. The #2 Lady Eagles will take on the
seventh-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears Friday at 5:00 p.m.,
in the quarterfinals of the 2009 Food Lion SAC Tournament.
“Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman match up well against each
other as both matches went to five sets this year,” said
Head Coach Shannon Mincey. “Their setter
does a nice job moving the offense and making smart decisions.
Friday evening will be a challenge for our team as they have very
talented players. We must be focused in order to
prevail.”
As a part of the upcoming SAC Tournament, the 2009 All-South
Atlantic Conference Teams were announced Thursday as well. The Lady
Eagles had five players named to the all-league squads.
Senior middle Katie Troyer (Plain City, Ohio) was
named to the All-SAC First Team for the second year in a row.
Troyer leads the Lady Eagles with 2.85 kills per set and is second
on the squad at 1.00 blocks per set. Earlier this season, Troyer
notched her 1,000th kill, making her a member of an elite group of
C-N players.
“Katie has filled a vital role for our team as a middle
hitter for four years,” said Mincey of Troyer.
“When she came in as a freshman, we only had one other
middle hitter so there really wasn’t an option other than to
step in and excel. She took that challenge on and has gained
respect from her teammates through consistent play and strong
leadership. She has become a strong player in our league. I am
pleased that she can be recognized for what she puts into our
team.”
Senior setter Stephanie Cutter (Murfreesboro,
Tenn.) and junior outside hitter Carly Mozgai
(Greensboro, N.C.) were each selected to the all-league second
team. Cutter was a three-time SAC Specialist of the Week this year
as she has dished-out 8.07 assists per set and added 2.62 digs and
.91 kills per frame as well. Mozgai is averaging 2.55 kills per set
and a .262 hitting percentage after missing the first 13 matches of
the season with an injury. She receives All-SAC Second-Team honors
for the second year in a row.
“Cutter is our heart on the court; she brings fun and
energy to volleyball,” added Mincey. “We have
won matches this year using her athleticism and desire to compete.
Her emotions in practice push her team to not accept less. I am
glad the coaches in the league chose to recognize her for
this.”
“Carly has worked so hard to even play this season. She
fought back from an almost career-ending injury,”
continued Mincey. “It is truly a miracle to see her on
the court. She (and our trainer Misty Hudgins) pushed for the sake
of the team. I am pleased that her determination has caused our
level of play to rise. We all watched Carly fight back from the
sidelines. I couldn’t be more overjoyed to see her name on
the all-conference list.”
The Lady Eagles also placed two players on the SAC All-Freshman
Team. Libero Angelle Hayes (Brentwood, Tenn.) and
middle Jasmine Clark (Pelham, Ala.) were picked as
two of the top six freshmen in the league this season. Hayes led
the team in digs (4.53 d/s) and service aces (22) while Clark was
named SAC Player of the Week for the Oct. 5 week as she leads the
team in hitting (.278). Clark also averages 1.95 kills and .93
blocks per stanza.
“I am pleased to see two of our freshman
recognized,” said Mincey. “It is neat to watch
their leadership develop as freshman. We are fortunate to have such
a strong and wonderful young class.”
Carson-Newman also moves up one position in the NCAA Division II
Southeast Region rankings to the number four spot. The rankings,
which were released Thursday by the NCAA, are the official
determinant for NCAA postseason play. Wingate remains first, while
Flagler and Armstrong Atlantic round out the top three. Eight teams
from the region will make the tournament with three receiving
automatic bids for winning their respective conference tournaments
this weekend. The playoff pairings for the 2009 NCAA Division II
Tournament will be released Sunday night at 9:00 p.m., via webcast
on www.ncaa.com.
2009 All-South Atlantic Conference Teams and Award
Winners
First
Team
Brooke Seaman, Brevard
Shay Meeks, Catawba
Mai Zoua Lo, Catawba, Libero
Katie Troyer, Carson-Newman
Amanda Horenkamp, Lincoln Memorial
Stormi Gale, Wingate
Lauren Billo, Wingate
Liz Willis, Wingate
Second
Team
Stephanie Cutter, Carson-Newman
Carly Mozgai, Carson-Newman
Kaitlyn Whitmer, Catawba
Lauren Kiwacka, Lincoln Memorial
Candace Richardson, Lincoln Memorial
Lorena Maia, Newberry
Gina Coffaro, Tusculum
Maggie Malone, Wingate, Libero
All-Freshman
Team
Jasmine Clark, Carson-Newman
Angelle Hayes, Carson-Newman
Kaitlyn Whitmer, Catawba
Meredith Lutz, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sam Underwood, Tusculum
Bailee Price, Tusculum
Player of the Year - Stormi Gale, Wingate
Freshman of the Year - Kaitlyn Whitmer, Catawba
Coach of the Year - Shelton Collier, Wingate
Volleyball Scholar-Athlete - Chelsea Cancelliere,
Wingate
STATISTICAL
CHAMPIONS (through Nov. 8)
Hitting Percentage - Lauren Billo, Wingate, .316; Jasmine Chunn,
Catawba, .316
Kills Per Set - Stormi Gale, Wingate, 3.77
Assists Per Set - Liz Willis, Wingate, 10.170
Blocks Per Set - Brooke Seaman, Brevard, 1.230
Service Aces Per Set - Laura Ann Huskey, Mars Hill, .50
Digs Per Set - Mai Zoua Lo, Catawba, 5.59
Team Hitting Percentage - Wingate, .262
Team Assists Per Game - Wingate, 13.74
Team Kills Per Game - Wingate, 14.67
Team Winning Percentage - Wingate, .969
Opponent Hitting Percentage - Wingate, .126
Team Blocks Per Game - Brevard, 2.45
Team Service Aces Per Game - Wingate, 2.03
Digs Per Game - Wingate, 18.25
Southeast
Region
Overall
In-Region
1. Wingate**
31-1
31-0
2. Flagler *
27-8
27-7
3. Armstrong Atlantic State
23-7
23-7
4.
Carson-Newman
21-8
19-7
5.
Montevallo
19-13
19-12
6.
Catawba**
16-10
16-9
7. Augusta
State
22-11
22-11
8. Lincoln
Memorial**
20-8
17-8
9.
Lees-McRae*
25-5 25-5
10.
Tusculum**
17-13
17-13
* denotes 2009 Carson-Newman opponent
-Joe Matthews, C-N Sports Information
