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