RICHMOND, Va. – Jess Chason was named the Colonial Athletic Association Setter of the Year, while four other members of the University of Delaware volleyball team also were honored during the CAA Awards Banquet held on Sunday night at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Chason received the league’s top setting award and also earned first-team All-Conference honors. Stephanie Barry joined Chason on the first-team squad, while Kim Stewart garnered second-team nods. Katie Dennehy also was a third-team selection, and Alissa Alker earned a spot on the conference’s All-Rookie team.
With the award, Chason is now just the second setter in Delaware history to take home the top honor at her position. Megan Welch was the only other Blue Hen to do it, earning the award in 2007. She is also the first junior to receive the honor since Hofstra’s Shellane Ogoshi in 2006.
In 2009, Chason leads all conference performers with a 9.96 assists-per-set average. In conference action, Chason has done even better, averaging a league-high 10.15 assists-per-set against CAA opponents.
A two-time Offensive Player of the Week selection, Chason also ranks third on the team with 226 digs, while she has chipped in with 32 blocks and 23 aces as well. During CAA matches, she has also tallied 16 aces, which stands as the eighth most in the league.
Barry is the only player in the CAA to have earned first-team All-Conference honors during each of the past three seasons. One of the finest liberos in the nation, she ranks second in the league with a 5.04 digs-per-set average. Her 289 digs during conference action are also the second-most in the CAA.
A three-time Defensive Player of the Week honoree this year, Barry is tied for the league-lead with three 30-dig performances during the season. Her 35 against North Carolina are also the most in the conference during a five-set match in 2009.
A strong server as well, Barry currently leads the conference with 20 aces during league matches. Overall, she has posted 30 this season, which currently ranks second on the team.
Stewart garnered second-team honors one year after winning the CAA Rookie of the Year Award. Entering the CAA Tournament, she ranks 10th in the league in both kills and points. Over 26 matches, she is averaging 2.84 kills and 3.34 points-per-set.
During conference action, Stewart has reached even greater heights. She ranks sixth in the league with a 3.74 points-per-set average in CAA matches, while her 171 kills lead the team and stand eighth in the conference.
A complete player, Stewart also ranks second on the team with 296 digs and third with 25 aces. She has also chipped in with 40 blocks, including 11 solo stops.
Dennehy earned All-Conference honors for the third time in her career after garnering second-team nods as a sophomore and All-Rookie accolades as a freshman. Entering the tournament, she leads Delaware and ranks fifth in the CAA with a 3.11 kills-per-set average.
A two-time Offensive Player of the Week selection, she also ranks ninth in the conference with a 3.41 points-per-set average. Overall, Dennehy leads the Hens with 338 points and stands second with a .211 hitting percentage.
Alker earned a spot on the All-Rookie squad after piecing together an outstanding freshman campaign. She currently is tied for third on the team with 204 kills, while her 53 blocks also are the third-most on the squad.
A CAA Rookie of the Week selection on September 28, Alker has posted 11 double-digit kill performances during the year. On September 5 against Rutgers, she ripped 12 kills on a .588 hitting percentage, which stands as the league’s seventh-best mark in a single-match this season.
Along with the five Blue Hens, the conference also honored George Mason’s Holly Goode as the CAA Player of the Year. The Patriots’ Pat Kendrick was selected as the Coach of the Year, while William & Mary’s Lindsey Pflugner earned Defensive Specialist of the Year accolades. Virginia Commonwealth’s Michala Kvapilova rounded out the top individual award-winners, taking home the Rookie of the Year honor.
AGATE:
First-Team All-CAA
Stephanie Barry (Delaware), Kelsey Bohman (George Mason), Jess Chason (Delaware), Holly Goode (George Mason), Michala Kvapilova (VCU), Lindsey Pflugner (William & Mary).
Second-Team All-CAA
Fernanda Bartels (George Mason), Britney Brown (Northeastern), Monica Knight (Hofstra), Lindsay Kresch (William & Mary), Ivana Rich (VCU), Kim Stewart (Delaware).
Third-Team All-CAA
Kelsie Clegg (VCU), Katie Dennehy (Delaware), Danielle Erb (James Madison), Ashley Jones (Georgia State), Lenka Melicharkova (VCU), Erin Skipper (William & Mary), Anissa Whitney (Hofstra).
2009 CAA Player of the Year: Holly Goode, George Mason
2009 CAA Setter of the Year: Jess Chason, Delaware
2009 CAA Defensive Specialist of the Year: Lindsey Pflugner, William & Mary
2009 CAA Rookie of the Year: Michala Kvapilova, VCU
2009 CAA Coach of the Year: Pat Kendrick, George Mason
All-Rookie Team
Alissa Alker (Delaware), Danielle Erb (James Madison), Jamiee Freeman (Georgia State), Michala Kvapilova (VCU), Marisa Low (VCU), Jordyn Maloney (William & Mary), Ko’ala Matsuoka (George Mason).
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