UCA claimed four of the six individual awards!
Chloe Smith named player of the year
Robyn Smith named setter of the year
Coach Mc named coach of the year
Jessica Hays named freshman of the year
Quote:
Chloe Smith is the first UCA player of the year, Texas State leads with three first-team selections.
FRISCO, Texas – Central Arkansas sophomore middle blocker Chloe Smith was named the 2008 Southland Conference Volleyball Player of the Year by a vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, the league office announced Tuesday in conjunction with the release of the all-conference volleyball teams.
A native of San Diego, Calif., Smith led the Sugar Bears to a first-place finish in the East Division and the best conference record (12-4) since joining the Southland in 2006. Smith led Central Arkansas in total kills (326) and blocks (69). In conference, she ranked sixth in hitting percentage (.302), third in kills (3.29) and second in service aces per set (0.45).
Central Arkansas claimed four-of-the six individual awards given by the Southland Conference. Joining Smith on the awards list are teammates Jessica Hays, who was named the freshman of the year, Robyn Smith, who was named setter of the year; and coach Steven McRoberts, who received the Katrinka Jo Crawford Coach of the Year award.
Since joining the Southland in 2006, Central Arkansas has claimed the freshman of the year award each season. Hays joins current Sugar Bears Robyn Smith and Chloe Smith who won the award in 2006 and 2007 respectively. The Friendswood, Texas, native leads all freshmen with a 3.03 kills average, ranking seventh in conference, while her 0.46 service aces mark leads the conference.
Robyn Smith is the first setter of the year in UCA history. A 2007 first-team selection, she makes a return appearance to the first-team earning the distinction as the first player in school history to receive consecutive first-team honors. Robyn Smith led the league for the second straight season in assists topping the 1,000 mark both years with 1,387 in 2007 and 1,093 in 2008. Her 11.04 assists average stands as the only mark over 11 in conference this season.
In four seasons as head coach of the Sugar Bears Steven McRoberts has amassed 87 wins and led UCA to a first-place finish in the East Division, garnering coach of the honors. Each season, McRoberts and Central Arkansas have qualified for the conference tournament. However, because of its reclassifying transition from NCAA Division II to Division I, the Sugar Bears are ineligible for postseason play until the 2010 season.
First Team
Chloe Smith MB
So. San Diego, Calif./Acad. of Our Lady of Peace
Robyn Smith S
Jr. Lubbock, Texas/Coronado
Honorable Mention: Jessica Hays, UCA;