Volleyball Awards Announced

November 3, 2004 – The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for volleyball and regular season tri-champions Christopher Newport, Averett and Greensboro led the way with representatives.  The Captains have five total members, while the Cougars and Pride each have four.  GC's Katie Smith has been named the Player of the Year.  Tricia Nelsen of CNU is the Rookie of the Year.  Pride head coach Jean Lojko is the Coach of the Year.  The awards are voted on by the volleyball coach at each school.

Smith, a junior from Colfax, NC, led the league in kills and blocks.  This season she recorded 4.9 kills, 1.49 digs and 1.4 blocks per game.  She led the Pride to a tie for first place in the regular season, along with CNU and AU.  This is her third consecutive year being named to the First Team All-Conference.  She was also named Rookie of the Year in 2002. 

Nelsen, a Fairfax, VA freshman, played an integral role in the Captains capturing a regular season tri-championship.  She averaged 3.85 kills and 2.47 digs on the year.  She was third in the USA South in kills. 

This is Lojko's fifth Coach of the Year honor.  This season she led her team to a 25-9 record, including 12-2 in USA South play.  The Pride finished the regular season tied with CNU and AU for first place.  In her 23rd year at the helm of the team, the Pride enters the Conference tournament as the top seed. 

The 2004 USA South Volleyball All-Conference Teams follow:

First Team	Second Team	Honorable Mention
Amber Bradshaw - CNU Tricia Nelsen - CNU Courtney Peters - AU Katie Smith - GC Lauren Smith - GC Lauren Wells - AU	Cassie Byrd - AU Erin Bryant - NCWC Brittany Collins - CNU Sarah Davis - GC Lindsey Kabbes - PC Hannah Williams - SU	Mindy Altice - FC Kendra Brewer - NCWC Karen Gordon - GC Christina Greene - SU Jessica Hefner - AU Jessica O'Neal - CNU Rebecca Walter - MC Jenna Williams - CNU