SPARTANBURG, S.C. - South Division winner College of Charleston earned four all-Southern Conference selections, one all-freshman selection and one individual honor in balloting conducted by the league's 12 volleyball coaches, the conference announced Wednesday.
The Cougars' senior setter Cole Dawley was named the Player of the Year and was also a first team all-conference selection. Joining Dawley on the first team was junior middle hitter Elyse Chubb and junior middle blocker Sarah Havel. Senior Ginny Phillips was the lone Cougar on the second team all-conference, and outside hitter Madelyn McGinnis was an all-freshman selection for the Cougars.
College of Charleston finished the season 15-1 in the SoCon and 27-5 overall. The Cougars closed out the regular season with a 13-game winning streak and won its last 12 conference matches.
Chattanooga sophomore Paula Passmore was honored as the Libero of the Year. Passmore averaged 5.45 digs per set, which ranked her 14th nationally.
Georgia Southern earned four all-conference selections with two first team, a second team and an all-freshman selection. Junior middle hitter Parker Small and sophomore setter Kate Van Dyke were named first team all-conference and junior outside hitter Bethany Sanford garnered second team honors. Middle hitter Enjoli Johnson was named to the all-freshman team for the Eagles.
Davidson senior outside hitter Sarabeth Peele and Furman junior right side/setter Kelly Kirby round out the first team all-conference selections.
The North Division winners Elon earned two spots on the second team all-conference with middle blockers Caroline Lemke, a junior, and Sarah Schermerhorn, a senior. The Phoenix head coach Mary Tendler was also named Coach of the Year after leading Elon to its first ever North Division title.
Completing the second team selections are sophomore libero Courtney Rhein from Appalachian State, sophomore outside hitter Chandler Ambrester from Furman and sophomore outside hitter from Samford, Elizabeth Neisler.
Katie Murphy, an outside hitter from Samford, was named the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year. She was also was tabbed to the all-freshman team.
Furman setter Sarah McCarthy, UNCG libero Kellie Orewiler, Western Carolina libero Morgan Cochran and Wofford outside hitter Amanda Liguori also garnered all-freshman accolades.
The Southern Conference Volleyball Championship begins Friday at the Holmes Convocation Center on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. The eight teams competing for the SoCon title are Appalachian State, College of Charleston, Davidson, Elon, Furman, Georgia Southern, UNCG and Samford. The championship match will be held Sunday at 2 p.m.
All-Conference First Team
Elyse Chubb, College of Charleston MH, Jr.
Cole Dawley, College of Charleston S, Sr.
Sarah Havel, College of Charleston MB, Jr.
Sarabeth Peele, Davidson OH, Sr.
Kelly Kirby, Furman RS/S, Jr.
Parker Small, Georgia Southern MH, Jr.
Kate Van Dyke, Georgia Southern S, So.
All-Conference Second Team
Courtney Rhein, Appalachian State L, So.
Ginny Phillips, College of Charleston RS, Sr.
Caroline Lemke, Elon MB, Jr.
Sarah Schermerhorn, Elon MB, Sr.
Chandler Ambrester, Furman OH, So.
Bethany Sanford, Georgia Southern OH, Jr.
Elizabeth Neisler, Samford OH, So.
All-Freshman Team
Madelyn McGinnis, College of Charleston OH
Sarah McCarthy, Furman S
Enjoli Johnson, Georgia Southern MH
Kellie Orewiler, UNCG L
Katie Murphy, Samford MB
Morgan Cochran, Western Carolina L
Amanda Liguori, Wofford OH
Player of the Year
Cole Dawley, College of Charleston S, Sr.
Freshman of the Year
Katie Murphy, Samford OH
Libero of the Year
Paula Passmore, Chattanooga So.
Coach of the Year
Mary Tendler, Elon