Harper, Wilson lead five Eagles named to All-SAC teams

Posted: Nov 11, 2014

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Five Carson-Newman volleyball players were named to All-South Atlantic Conference teams Wednesday morning as announced by the league.

Senior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and senior middle blocker Jenna Wilson (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) lead the way as first team honorees. Senior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) was a second team pick while junior middle blocker Kiayna O'Neal (Katy, Texas) and senior outside hitter Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.) were honorable mention picks.

The two first team picks are the most from an Eagle club since a trio of players were on the first team in 2005 while the five total players are the most since five were placed on All-SAC teams in 2009.

"I think it shows us how hard we have worked as a team this whole season," Harper said. "I think it's cool to see five of our girls have gotten these awards especially since we were picked eighth at the beginning of the season. I think it's nice that we have shocked the conference with that and it's all because we have been holding ourselves to a higher standard this season."

Harper won the conference's player of the week on three occasions as she led the league with 4.4 points per set, a number that ranked 38^th in the country. The outside hitter ranked second in the SAC with 3.57 kills per set, third with 350 total kills, fifth with 48 service aces (38^th in Division II) while posting a .241 attack percentage. Harper had 12 double-doubles this season while notching at least 10 kills in 20 of the 27 matches she played including nine with 17 or more. The Chattanooga, Tenn. native also ranked 13^th in the conference with 337 digs.

"I really focused on using every game to make the girls around me better," Harper said. "It helps you to not focus yourself. It helps you to think 'if I do make a mistake, how can I improve the other aspects of my game to help the other girls around me'. I know that there is always some other aspect that I can improve upon in that set."

Wilson earned the SAC Player of the Week accolade on two occasions as she finished second in the league with a .393 attack percentage, a number that puts her 11^th in the country. The middle blocker led the league with 126 total blocks and a 1.19 blocks per set while finishing second with 20 solo blocks and 106 block assists. Her 126 total blocks ranks 11^th among Division II athletes while her 1.19 blocks per set rank 18^th. She has 21 matches with at least 10 kills including four 20-kill contests as well as 10 matches with at least three total blocks.

"The way the season has gone has been more than I could have asked for," Wilson said. "I love playing for this school and I love playing for this team and I feel like all of my expectations have been met for wanting a great season."

Pickett was a three-time winner of the SAC Specialist of the Week honor as she led the conference in total assists with 1,124 and assists per set with 10.41. Her total assist tally ranks 24^th nationally while her assists per set is good for 44^th in the nation. The setter ranks third in the league with 53 service aces, a mark that puts her 25^th among Division II players. Pickett also racked up 273 digs, 23^rd nationally. She notched 11 double-doubles this year to go along with 27 games with at least 25 assists and 11 matches with at least 40.

"It's a big honor to be named that," Pickett said. "I think we shocked the whole SAC by being second in the conference so it's really exciting to see five of our players be mentioned. I still think we have a lot more work to do in the conference tournament."

O'Neal was named the conference Player of the Week on November 4 as she finished the year 10^th in the league with a .274 attack percentage. She finished ninth in the SAC with 13 solo blocks and 12^th with 69 total blocks. She ranks 27^th in the conference with 202 total kills as she has tallied five matches with 10 kills or more.

Santarelli missed six total matches this season but still ranked 23^rd in the SAC with 2.31 kills per set and 2.6 points per frame while compiling a .191 attack percentage from the right side. The Colorado Springs native finished 21^st with 51 block assists and 24^th in total blocks with 52 and in blocks per set with 0.62. She has seven matches this year with at least 10 kills and has the team-high for kills in one match with 23 on September 13 against UNC Pembroke.

The Eagles travel to Hickory, N.C. Friday for a meeting with the Mars Hill Lions in the opening round of the SAC Tournament with first serve schedule for 5 p.m.

First Team

Hailey Pittman, MB, Anderson

Shelly Stumpff, OH, Wingate

Rachel Harper, OH, Carson-Newman

Alison Cooke, S, Wingate

Lexi Potter, MB, Wingate

Jenna Wilson, MB, Carson-Newman

Haley Rhyne, OH, Lenoir-Rhyne

Moriah Jones, L, Tusculum

Second Team

Shannon Gillespie, OH, Anderson

Kristen Pickett, S, Carson-Newman