Eagles Place Two on SoCon Volleyball All-Conference Teams

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference announced selections for the 2011 Volleyball All-Conference Teams on Wednesday and junior Kate Van Dyke (Shawnee, Kan.) and senior Bethany Sanford (Avondale, Ariz.) were selected to the First and Second Teams, respectively.

Van Dyke recorded 1,259 assists this season as the primary setter for the Eagles and led the team with a .370 attack percentage, while registering 104 kills. She also led the team with 29 service aces. On the defensive end, Van Dyke recorded 290 digs and 48 total blocks.

Sanford led the Eagles' offense this season with a team high 358 kills. The senior outside hitter recorded 22 service aces and defensively, was second on the team with a 2.57 digs per set average.

The Southern Conference Volleyball Championship begins Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Pete Hanna Center on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Georgia Southern is the No. 3 seed in the South Division and will open tournament play against Appalachian State at 11 a.m. EST.

All-Conference First Team

Alison Blasingame, Appalachian State                Sr., MB

Elyse Chubb, College of Charleston                    Sr., MB

Sarah Havel, College of Charleston                     Sr., MB

Kelly Kirby, Furman                                          Sr., RS/S

Kate Van Dyke, Georgia Southern                 Jr., S

Elizabeth Neisler, Samford                                Jr., OH

Lauren Hutchinson, Samford                              Jr., MB

All-Conference Second Team

Anna Wagner, Appalachian State                       Sr., OH

Sloane White, College of Charleston                   Fr., MB

Caroline Brown, Davidson                                  So., OH

Natalie Braun, Furman                                      Jr., OH

Caroline Adams, Furman                                   Jr., MB

Bethany Sanford, Georgia Southern              Sr., OH

Katie Murphy, Samford                                      So., MB

All-Freshman Team

Lizzie Theesfeld, College of Charleston               OH

Sloane White, College of Charleston                   MB

Kris Harris, Elon                                                MB

Chanelle Smith, Elon                                         OH

Michaela Reesor, Samford                                 OH

Caitlin Piechota, Western Carolina                      OH

Jordan Timmermann, Western Carolina               OH

Player of the Year

Elizabeth Neisler, Samford                                 Jr., OH

Rayna Matea Taylor Award (Freshman of the Year)

Sloane White, College of Charleston                   MB

Libero of the Year

Kellie Orewiler, UNCG                                       So.

Coach of the Year

Karen Glover, Western Carolina

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