Whitney
WallsKendra
Rowland
Kelsey
Jewasko
FRISCO — Freshman outside hitter Whitney Walls was named to the six-member All-Southland Conference second team, while junior outside hitter Kendra Rowland and sophomore libero Kelsey Jewasko earned honorable mention accolades, the league office announced on Wednesday.
Walls has seen action in all 30 matches, including 23 starts, this season and leads the team with a .257 hitting percentage in addition to ranking second with 249 kills (2.2 kps) and third with 62 total blocks (1 solo/61 assists). The Arlington native had a career-high 20 winners at Sam Houston State on Oct. 28 and has been in double figures in seven other contests this fall.
A starter in all 30 matches this season, Rowland is UTSA's leader with 1,043 attacks, 313 kills (2.72 kps) and 15 double-doubles (second SLC). The Antioch, Calif., native also ranks second on the team with 332 digs (2.89 dps). She has recorded double-figure digs 19 times and slammed home 10 or more winners in 16 contests. Rowland is one of just two Roadrunners to see action in all 115 sets this fall.
Jewasko, who also has seen action in all 115 sets this year, leads the squad with 424 digs (3.69 dps) and ranks second with 23 service aces this season. The San Antonio native had a career-high 31 digs in the Birds' Sept. 8 five-set win against Cal State Bakersfield and she has been in double figures 24 times this season, including the last 19 outings. Her five aces against Weber State (Sept. 12) were a career high, as were her eight assists against Northwestern State on Oct. 22.
The sixth-seeded Roadrunners (12-18) open Southland Tournament play at 6:30 p.m. on Friday against No. 3 seed Stephen F. Austin (22-12).
2009 All-Southland Conference Volleyball Teams
First Team
Ashley Bailey, Sr., MB, Stephen F. Austin
Amber Calhoun, So., MB, Texas State
Anna Ferguson, Sr., MB, Sam Houston State
Evaree Franklin, Sr., MB, Central Arkansas
Tara Frantz, So., OH, UT Arlington
Kaylee Hawkins, Fr., DS, Sam Houston State
Carli Kolbe, So., OH, Sam Houston State
Adrianne Meengs, Sr., S, Lamar
Emma Ridley, Jr., OH, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Chloe Smith, Jr., OH, Central Arkansas
Robyn Smith, Sr., S, Central Arkansas
Jessica Weynand, Sr., OH, Texas State
Second Team
Mary Caitlin Bottles, So., MB, Stephen F. Austin
Cristin Curl, So., DS, Central Arkansas
Wendy Krell, Fr., MB, Lamar
Mo Middleton, Jr., OH, Texas State
Emily Shearin, So., MB, UT Arlington
Whitney Walls, Fr., OH, UTSA
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