Nov. 19, 2009
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - South Division winner Furman earned four all-Southern Conference team selections, three all-freshman team selections and three individual honors in balloting conducted by the league's 12 volleyball coaches, the conference announced Thursday. The Paladins' senior setter Kelsey Salava was named Player of the Year while middle blocker Caroline Adams earned Freshman of the Year honors. Paladin head coach Michelle Young was selected Coach of the Year.
Furman finished the season 16-0 in the SoCon and 25-3 overall. The Paladins are the first team to go undefeated in league play since College of Charleston in 2005. Salava led the league in assists, averaging 10.76 per set, while Adams had a conference-leading .336 attack percentage.
Salava and Adams also earned first-team all-conference nods, while sophomore teammates Kelly Kirby, a right side hitter/setter, and Alexis Shaffer, a middle blocker, were named to the second team. Adams was joined on the all-freshman team by outside hitters Chandler Ambrester and Natalie Braun.
The Southern Conference Volleyball Tournament begins Saturday at Alley Gymnasium on the campus of Furman University in Greenville , S.C. The Paladins will face Appalachian State in the first match, which is slated for 12 p.m. The second match pits Samford against College of Charleston and is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. The championship match will be held Sunday at 2 p.m.
All-Conference First Team
Elyse Chubb, College of Charleston MH, So.
Cole Dawley, College of Charleston S, Jr.
Caroline Adams, Furman MB , Fr.
Kelsey Salava, Furman S, Sr.
Bethany Sanford , Georgia Southern OH , So.
Kate Van Dyke , Georgia Southern S, Fr.
Sheriden Stangohr, Samford MB , Sr.
All-Conference Second Team
Sarah Havel, College of Charleston MB , So.
Ginny Phillips, College of Charleston RS, Jr.
Caroline Lemke, Elon MB , So.
Traci Stewart, Elon RS, So.
Kelly Kirby, Furman RS/S, So.
Alexis Shaffer, Furman MB , So.
Catherine Hanners, UNC Greensboro L/OH, Sr.
All-Freshman Team
Ali Deatsch, Elon L
Caroline Adams, Furman MB
Chandler Ambrester, Furman OH
Natalie Braun, Furman OH
Kate Van Dyke , Georgia Southern S
Allie Bettinger, Samford OH
Paula Passmore, Chattanooga L
Freshman of the Year
Caroline Adams, Furman
Player of the Year
Kelsey Salava, Furman
Libero of the Year
Catherine Hanners, UNC Greensboro
Coach of the Year
Michelle Young, Furman
