UNCG’s Orewiler named SoCon Libero of the Year
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG sophomore Kellie Orewiler was selected as the 2011 Southern Conference Libero of the Year by the leagues' head coaches, the conference office announced on Wednesday.
"I'm really happy and really proud for Kellie," said coach Patrick Nicholas. "She has worked very hard this season and stepped up to show why she was the only team captain who was an underclassman. Her game has made a lot of strides from last year as a freshman. She has a strong mind and a big heart and is really focused on where she has come from and where she wants to go in life and I think that speaks to her maturity level. Again, it's a really big honor for Kellie and I couldn't be more excited for her."
Orewiler currently sits second in the Southern Conference with a 4.91 digs per set average, just .01 behind Appalachian State's Courtney Rhein, after recording 579 digs this season.
Her 579 digs this season ranked fifth all-time in school history for the most digs in a single season. Her 4.91 digs/set average also is tied for the fourth-highest mark in a single season at UNCG.
This season, Orewiler broke the 30-dig mark in three matches this season. She set a new career-high for digs in a match with 36 in a four-set win at Western Carolina. Her 36 digs in that match tied the school record for the most digs in a four-set match.
She also had 32 digs against Navy on Sept. 4 and recorded 31 digs at Chattanooga on Oct. 8. She also eclipsed the 20-dig mark in 12 matches this season, including the final seven matches of the year.
In just two seasons, Orewiler has a career average of 4.24 digs/set, which is second in school history. She has recorded 1,018 digs in two seasons, which is on pace to put her second in school history if she continues at the same pace the next two years.
Orewiler also ranked fourth in the SoCon this season in aces per set with a .33 average after recording 39 service aces during the 2011 campaign.
AGATE
Player of the Year
Elizabeth Neisler, Samford
Rayna Matea Taylor Award (Freshman of the Year)
Sloane White, College of Charleston
Libero of the Year
Kellie Orewiler, UNCG
Coach of the Year
Karen Glover, Western Carolina
2011 SoCon Volleyball All-Conference Team
All-Conference First Team
Alison Blasingame, Appalachian State Sr., MB
Elyse Chubb, College of Charleston Sr., MB
Sarah Havel, College of Charleston Sr., MB
Kelly Kirby, Furman Sr., RS/S
Kate Van Dyke, Georgia Southern Jr., S
Elizabeth Neisler, Samford Jr., OH
Lauren Hutchinson, Samford Jr., MB
All-Conference Second Team
Anna Wagner, Appalachian State Sr., OH
Sloane White, College of Charleston Fr., MB
Caroline Brown, Davidson So., OH
Natalie Braun, Furman Jr., OH
Caroline Adams, Furman Jr., MB
Bethany Sanford, Georgia Southern Sr., OH
Katie Murphy, Samford So., MB
All-Freshman Team
Lizzie Theesfeld, College of Charleston OH
Sloane White, College of Charleston MB
Kris Harris, Elon MB
Chanelle Smith, Elon OH
Michaela Reesor, Samford OH
Caitlin Piechota, Western Carolina OH
Jordan Timmermann, Western Carolina OH
- UNCG -