Sanford and Van Dyke Earn SoCon Honors
11/19/2009 8:15:00 PM | Volleyball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – As announced by the Southern Conference Thursday (November 19), Bethany Sanford and Kate Van Dyke were named to the All-Conference First Team, while Van Dyke also picked up All-Freshman Team honors. The teams were selected based on ballots from the league's 12 volleyball coaches.
The Eagles posted a 21-10 overall record, the best in program history since 2005, and an 11-5 conference mark. Sanford (Avondale, Ariz.) paced Georgia Southern's offense the entire season, collecting 390 kills in 112 sets played for a .235 hitting percentage. At the conclusion of regular season play, the Eagle was second in the league in kills per set with an average of 3.48.
Sanford earned SoCon Volleyball Player of the Week honors twice during the season, the first after opening weekend of play when the Eagles took the title of the Holiday Inn Invitational. Sanford hit .364 in three matches with 37 kills. For her efforts on the court, Sanford was named the Tournament MVP. Her second Player of the Week honor was awarded for the week of September 14. Sanford helped lead the Eagles to a 2-1 Bash in the 'Boro performance collecting 59 kills in three matches with double-doubles in each match.
Earning a spot in the Georgia Southern volleyball record book, Van Dyke (Shawnee, Kan.) recorded 1,228 assists over the season, placing her second in the conference in assists per set with a 10.59 average. The freshman setter's 1,228 assists ranks her fourth in program history in assists for a single season. Her 10.59 average ranks her second in that respective category in Georgia Southern history.
For the week of October 5-11, Van Dyke was tabbed the SoCon Volleyball Player of the Week after averaging 12.36 assists per set in three matches. Helping lead the Eagles to their first victory over College of Charleston since 2004, the freshman setter posted 63 assists and eight kills. Her 63 assists marked a season- and career-high for the Eagle.
Also announced by the league office were individual awards. Furman took three of the four honors as senior setter Salava was named Player of the Year, while middle blocker Caroline Adams earned Freshman of the Year honors. Furman's head coach Michelle Young earned Coach of the Year. UNC Greensboro's libero, Catherine Hanners, was tabbed Libero of the Year.
Sanford and Van Dyke's First Team honors mark the first since 2005 for Georgia Southern. Following the 2008 season, Sanford was named to the All-Freshman Team.
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 Stanghor, Sanford, 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
