November 4, 2009 
Contact: Mike Christie, Assistant Commissioner

USA South Volleyball Awards Announced

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for volleyball. A total of 34 student-athletes have been named to the USA South All-Conference teams. Christopher Newport University's Caitlyn Jansen has been named the Player of the Year, her teammate Kara Elder was named Rookie of the Year and their coach, Lindsay Birch, was tabbed Coach of the Year. The Libero of the Year went to Averett University's Marie Keatts. Also, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team consisting of one member from each competing school. All awards are voted on by the volleyball coach at each institution.

Jansen, a junior middle blocker from Lorton, Virginia, led the Captain offense this fall as she posted a USA South-best .349 hitting percentage. She averaged 2.9 kills/set with 0.9 digs/set and 0.5 blocks/set. Jansen's kill average ranked eighth in the Conference. She helped the Captains to an undefeated mark in league play and collected her first all-conference honor. Additionally, Jansen was named USA South Player of the Week three times this season.

Elder, a Charlottesville, Virginia freshman outside hitter, played an integral role in the Captains' success this season. Elder averaged a team-best 3.02 kills/set which ranked fifth in the USA South. She also averaged 2.9 digs/set which was second-best on the team. Elder received First Team All-Conference honors and was named USA South Rookie of the Week four times this season.

Keatts, a Danville, Virginia senior was the Cougars' defensive specialist this season. She dug a USA South-best 638 attacks and was third in the league averaging 4.66 digs/set. Keatts earned Honorable Mention All-Conference Honors for her efforts and was named USA South Defensive Player of the Week three times this season.

This season marks the third consecutive Coach of the Year honor for Birch. This fall, she has led her team to a 31-6 overall record, including an 18-0 mark in USA South play for the second consecutive season. The unblemished league mark gave Christopher Newport its eighth regular season title in nine years. In her eighth year at the helm of the team, Birch leads the Captains into the semifinals of the Conference tournament as the top seed.

Player of the Year                                                                
Caitlyn Jansen - Christopher Newport                                                              

Rookie of the Year
Kara Elder - Christopher Newport

Libero of the Year
Marie Keatts - Averett

Coach of the Year           
Lindsay Birch - Christopher Newport                                                            

The 2009 USA South Volleyball All-Conference Teams follow:

First Team	Second Team	Third Team
Kara Elder - Christopher Newport Jessica Flanagan - Ferrum Brittany Insley - N.C. Wesleyan Caitlyn Jansen - Christopher Newport Mackenzie Tingle - N.C. Wesleyan Stephanie Wood - Methodist	Shannon Andy - Averett Bailey Jensen - Christopher Newport Cory Harris - Christopher Newport Jessie Heavenrich - Christopher Newport Jordan Maupin - Averett Kayci Miller - Methodist	Kacie Hyatt - Greensboro Jesse Jones - Averett Meredith Smith - N.C. Wesleyan Kayla Trippeer - Ferrum Jalesty Washington - Methodist Morgan White - Meredith
Honorable Mention	All-Sportsmanship Team
Elizabeth Evanoff - Peace Kelly George - N.C. Wesleyan Jordan Grady - Methodist Marie Keatts - Averett Sha McDuffie - Greensboro Rachel Shumaker - Ferrum	Marie Keatts - Averett Rebecca Dancy - Christopher Newport Jenni Carter - Ferrum Laura Borawski - Greensboro Anna Schueren - Mary Baldwin Emily Anderson - Meredith Kristen Robinson - Methodist Anna Hart - N.C. Wesleyan Amber Lowe - Peace Rachel Maki - Shenandoah