CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Sophomore
Kyndal Payne and senior
Carissa Barnes of the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's volleyball team were distinguished as AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention selections in the Southwest Region.
Barnes became the first three-time All-Region honoree in program history. It marks the third year in a row that a pair of Islanders earned All-Region.
Barnes, from Weatherford, Texas, went 18-for-18 in being the digs-leader in every conference match this season, totaling 356 digs for a 5.48 per set mark. For just the second time in Southland history, Barnes became the three-time recipient of the SLC Libero of the Year award after leading the conference in digs per set. She also ended the year atop the program career record for total digs (2,199) and career digs per set (5.53).
"Carissa has proven that she is one of the best liberos in the country," said head coach
Steve Greene. "Coaches in our region and nationally are very aware of the talent she brings on defense and in serve receive as well. Her upbeat attitude towards hard work has helped her thrive and garner these All-Region honors. She has worked diligently the last four years to make herself the best she can possibly be and has more than surpassed expectations."
Payne, from Haslet, Texas, was named the SLC Player of the Year after leading the conference in kills per set at 4.91 as well as in points per set at 5.39. A two-time Southland Offensive Player of the Week recipient, Payne was the kills-leader in 15 conference matches this season, including when she recorded a program- and conference-high of 28 kills against Northwestern State. Her season total of 479 kills broke the program's single-season record.
"Kyndal is very well deserving of All-Region Honors. She established herself as the Southland Player of the Year with consistency, all-around play, and the ability to take over matches. This carried over into All-Region as her numbers speak for themselves but not everyone gets to see her drive to always improve, her competitiveness, and her tenacity on every play," Greene said.
Barnes and Payne were two of four Islanders tabbed to the All-Conference First-Team. The Islanders finished the regular season in second, and led the conference in team hitting percentage (.272), assists (14.26 avg/s), and kills (15.49 avg/s).
Click here to view the full AVCA All-Region Teams.
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