Emma
Ridley, the top scorer in the Southland Conference this past
volleyball season, was recognized as the conference Newcomer of the
Year and a First Team All-Southland member on Wednesday. The
awards are voted on by the league's coaches and sports information
directors.
"This is a big honor for Emma, I'm really happy for her," said
head coach Tony Graystone. "I'm proud
of what she was able to accomplish, it's not always easy to come
into a new environment and contribute the way she has."
Ridley shattered the previous record for kills in a season by an
Islander and paced the conference in her first year at the school
after transferring from Tulsa. The impact was immediate and
undeniable as she totaled 464 kills on the season and also led the
Islanders with 218 digs.
"She did a great job this year," said Graystone. "We gave her a
big role and she handled it well."
The former single-season record was 373, set by Lauren
Smith during the 2002 season. Ridley passed that mark against Sam
Houston State and added 77 additional kills in the final five
matches to set the new standard at 464 kills.
Ridley's selection to the first team marks the first time an
Islander has been on the top squad since TAMUCC joined the
Southland Conference. It is the second time an Islander has won
the Newcomer of the Year award, with Christine Feliz taking the
honor following the 2006 season.
2009 All-Southland Conference Volleyball
Teams
|
First Team
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
School
|
Pos.
|
Cl.
|
Hometown/Previous School
|
|
Chloe Smith2
|
Central Arkansas
|
RS
|
Jr.
|
San Diego, Calif./Academy of Our Lady of Peace
|
|
Anna Ferguson2
|
Sam Houston State
|
MB
|
Sr.
|
Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands
|
|
Jessica Weynand2
|
Texas State
|
OH
|
Sr.
|
Brenham, Texas/Brenham
|
|
Robyn Smith3
|
Central Arkansas
|
S
|
Sr.
|
Lubbock, Texas/Coronado
|
|
Ashley Bailey
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
MB
|
Sr.
|
Mesquite, Texas/Mesquite
|
|
Amber Calhoun
|
Texas State
|
MB
|
So.
|
Houston, Texas/Second Baptist
|
|
Carli Kolbe
|
Sam Houston State
|
OH
|
So.
|
College Station, Texas/A&M Consolidated
|
|
Evaree Franklin
|
Central Arkansas
|
MB
|
Sr.
|
Sweeny, Texas/Sweeny
|
|
Adrianne Meengs2
|
Lamar
|
S
|
Sr.
|
Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood
|
|
Emma
Ridley
|
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
|
OH
|
Jr.
|
Phoenix, Ariz./Tulsa
|
|
Kaylee Hawkins
|
Sam Houston State
|
L
|
Fr.
|
Dickinson, Texas/Dickinson
|
|
Tara Frantz
|
UT Arlington
|
OH
|
So.
|
Santa Fe, Texas/Santa Fe
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Second Team
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
School
|
Pos.
|
Cl.
|
Hometown/Prev. School
|
|
Cristin Curl
|
Central Arkansas
|
L
|
So.
|
Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa
|
|
MC Bottles
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
MB
|
So.
|
Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett
|
|
Wendy Krell
|
Lamar
|
MB
|
Fr.
|
Plano, Texas/Plano East
|
|
Mo Middleton
|
Texas State
|
OH
|
Jr.
|
Glendale, Ariz./New Mexico
|
|
Emily Shearin
|
UT Arlington
|
MB
|
So.
|
Dallas, Texas/Woodrow Wilson
|
|
Whitney Walls
|
UTSA
|
OH
|
Fr.
|
Arlington, Texas/Martin
|
2Two-time First-team selection
3Three-time First-team
selection
Honorable Mention: Lauren Holdorff, Lamar;
Priscilla Massengale, McNeese State; Amy Whitehead, Nicholls;
Yelena Enwere, Northwestern State; Michelle Miller, Sam Houston
State; Alex Greer, Southeastern Louisiana; Madison Hanlan, Stephen
F. Austin; Bianca Sauls, UT Arlington; Kelsey Jewasko, UTSA; Kendra
Rowland, UTSA
Player of the Year - Chloe Smith, Central
Arkansas
Libero of the Year - Cristin Curl, Central
Arkansas
Setter of the Year - Robyn Smith, Central
Arkansas
Freshman of the Year - Wendy Krell, Lamar
Newcomer of the Year - Emma
Ridley, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Coach of the Year - Steven McRoberts, Central
Arkansas
