JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Junior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) was selected to the All-South Atlantic Conference second team while junior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) was an honorable mention pick.
Harper finished third in the SAC in points (441), fourth in kills per set (3.59), fourth in kills (381) and fourth in service aces (36). The junior compiled 18 double-doubles including a double-double in eight of the final nine contests.
"It's a big honor," Harper said of the accolade. "I can't take any credit though. I think that it's a team effort and a coaching thing. I love the environment here and playing in it. If I do well, it's because of that, the coaches and my team."
The Chattanooga, Tenn. native had double-digit kills in 24 of 28 games including 20+ kills in four matches and double-digit digs in 20 of 28 contests including 15+ digs in seven matches.
Harper is the first Eagle to be honored since current assistant coach Nikki James was on the second team in 2011.
Pickett finished the season third in the conference with 1,033 assists and 9.48 assists per set while ranking fourth with 36 service aces. She notched a double-double eight times including two of the final three games of the year.
"It's a big honor especially with the outcome of our season," Pickett said about being recognized. "It wasn't what we hoped for. With that, it means a lot. I give a lot of credit to my team and without them, there is no way that I would be where I am."
The Cleveland, Tenn. native compiled at least 30 assists in 23 matches this season including more than 40 helpers nine times. On top of her duties as a setter, Pickett had multiple kills in 21 matches including 16 instances with three kills or more.
The last time Carson-Newman had two players honored on All-Conference teams was 2010 when Carly Mozgai was pinned to the first team and James was on the second squad.
2013 SAC Volleyball Awards
All-SAC First Team
Anna Hilton, Wingate
Caitlyn Dean, Tusculum
Alison Cooker, Wingate
Haley Rhyne, Lenoir-Rhyne
Lexi Potter, Wingate
Shannon Gillespie, Anderson
Keri Kemp, Queens
Hailey Pittman, Anderson
All-SAC Second Team
Marissa Wixson, Mars Hill
Susie Murach, Wingate
Kassie Voelker, Tusculum
Samantha Parrish, Newberry
Maggie Murphy, Mars Hill
Kaitlyn Walton, Lincoln Memorial
Allison Rickher, Wingate
Rachel Harper, Carson-Newman
All-SAC Honorable Mention
Anny Gibbs, Queens
Megan Hasse, Tusculum
Jessica King, Newberry
Briana Gottberg, Lenoir-Rhyne
Toni Cole, Mars Hill
Kayla Morrow, Lenoir-Rhyne
Kristen Pickett, Carson-Newman
Casey Mense, Lincoln Memorial
Zazzy Oates, Lincoln Memorial
All-Freshman Team
Rachel Garnett, Tusculum
Abby Saehler, Wingate
Marykate Griffin, Mars Hill
Logan Hayward, Newberry
Meredith Jones, Queens
Abby Cash, Lincoln Memorial
Player of the Year: Anna Hilton, Wingate
Freshman of the Year: Rachel Garnett, Tusculum
Coach of the Year: Shelton Collier, Wingate