Purser Earns All Southern Conference First Team

Nov. 18, 2005

STATESBORO, Ga. - Furman University junior Whitney Purser was named to the 2005 All-Southern Conference volleyball team, it was announced on Thursday at the league championships.

Purser paced the Lady paladins with 406 kills during the regular season and ranked second in the Southern Conference in kills per game (4.00) and fifth in points per game (4.45). In addition, Purser was named to the all-tournament teams at the Winthrop Invitational and the Auburn/Mizuno Challenge, and on Oct. 22, became just the 12th woman in Furman history to record 1,000 kills in her career.

This is Purser's first all-conference award and the 22nd first-team citation received by a Lady Paladin since Janine Turner won earned the program's first all-league award in 1987.

The Lady Paladins opened their play in the Southern Conference Tournament with a 3-0 victory over The Citadel, and will face Georgia Southern Friday at 7 p.m.

A complete list of Southern Conference end of the year awards appears below:

All Southern Conference Volleyball First Team Stephanie Panzer, Appalachian State, MB Kaycie Carr, College of Charleston, OH Tiffany Blum, College of Charleston, MB Rebecca Wieters, College of Charleston, RS Whitney Purser, Furman, OH Iulia Porumbescu, GSU, OH

Second Team Kali Rumberger, Appalachian State, L Diana Thomas, Appalachian State, MB Amanda Timmers, College of Charleston, OH Lara Newberry, Chattanooga, L Lindsey Galloway, Chattanooga, RS Liz Williamson, Davidson, OH

Player of the Year: Kaycie Carr, College of Charleston Rayna Taylor Freshman of the Year: Lara Newberry, Chattanooga Libero of the Year: Lara Newberry, Chattanooga Coach of the Year: Sherry Dunbar, College of Charleston