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 Salava was named Player of the Year while middle blocker Caroline Adams earned Freshman of the Year honors. 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.
UNC Greensboro senior Catherine Hanners was honored as the Libero of the Year and also earned a spot on the all-conference second team. Hanners averaged 4.18 digs per set.
College of Charleston also garnered four all-conference selections. Sophomore middle hitter Elyse Chubb was joined by junior setter Cole Dawley on the first team. Sophomore middle blocker Sarah Havel and junior right side hitter Ginny Phillips were tabbed for the second team.
Georgia Southern was represented on the all-conference first team by sophomore outside hitter Bethany Sanford and freshman setter Kate Van Dyke. Van Dyke also earned a spot on the all-freshman team.
Sheriden Stangohr rounded out the first team, representing North Division winner Samford. Outside hitter Allie Bettinger was named to the all-freshman team for the Bulldogs.
Elon sophomores Caroline Lemke, a middle blocker, and Traci Stewart, a right side hitter, garnered second team honors. The Phoenix was also represented by libero Ali Deatsch on the all-freshman team.
Chattanooga libero Paula Passmore was selected to the all-freshman team.
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 |
So., MH |
| Cole Dawley, College of Charleston |
Jr., S |
| Caroline Adams, Furman |
Fr., MB |
| Kelsey Salava, Furman |
Sr., S |
| Bethany Sanford, Georgia Southern |
So., OH |
| Kate Van Dyke, Georgia Southern |
Fr., S |
| Sheriden Stangohr, Samford |
Sr., MB |
All-Conference Second Team
| Sarah Havel, College of Charleston |
So., MB |
| Ginny Phillips, College of Charleston |
Jr., RS |
| Caroline Lemke, Elon |
So., MB |
| Traci Stewart, Elon |
So., RS |
| Kelly Kirby, Furman |
So., RS/S |
| Alexis Shaffer, Furman |
So., MB |
| Catherine Hanners, UNC Greensboro |
Sr., L/OH |
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
Photo Credit: Southern Conference
