Post by notcreative on Nov 21, 2006 17:20:44 GMT -5
While Long Beach State continues their tradition of volleyball dominance, Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge are gaining ground on the 49ers as they etch a few firsts in their history books after all three schools collected Big West's top honors. Long Beach State's Alexis Crimes and Cal Poly's Kylie Atherstone were named 2006 Big West Co-Players of the Year. While Long Beach State grabs their 12th player of the year accolade, the most of any school, Cal Poly earns its first honor in school history. Big West Freshman of the Year, Angela Hupp, emulates Cal Poly's success by posting Cal State Northridge's first-ever freshman of the year award. Jon Stevenson received the nod for 2006 Big West Coach of the Year, marking the first time the Mustangs have received this honor since 1989.
At the net, Crimes tallied a 1.34 block per game average to rank second in the league. She also showed her explosiveness on offense, firing a .379 hitting percentage to hold the second place spot. The all-around player leads the 49ers in kills, hitting percentage and blocks.
Atherstone's 4.50 kill per game average has dominated the Big West all year. The 6-1 sophomore was consistent throughout the season and for her efforts she earned two conference player of the week honors and was recognized nationally on Oct. 23 after being tabbed Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Year.
Wearing a Matador uniform for the first time, Hupp (Acton, Calif.) proved to be a valuable asset, both offensively and defensively. She started in all 96 games, splitting time between the setter and outside hitter positions. Hupp currently leads the Matadors in assists (586), while placing third in kills (232) and total blocks (83).
In just his second season at the helm of the Cal Poly (22-5) squad, Head Coach Jon Stevenson guided the Mustangs to their first conference title in 22 years after posting a 13-1 Big West record. In his two-year stint competing in the Big West, he has compiled a 23-5 record (.821) in conference play and an overall record of 40-11 (.784). Stevenson has also elevated the team to top 25 status with Cal Poly making its first appearance in the national polls since 1999. The Mustangs are currently tied for 15th in the country in the AVCA/CSTV poll, their highest ranking of the season.
Seven teams were represented on the first team with Cal Poly leading the way with five representatives, a feat that has not been matched since the 1998 season when Long Beach State earned five nods. UC Santa Barbara earned four selections, followed by Long Beach State with three and Cal State Northridge receiving two. Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine and Pacific each garnered one All-Big West First Team member.
Gauchos Brett Quirarte (Long Beach, Calif./Wilson HS) and Olivia Waldowski (Irvine, Calif./Nebraska) and Mustang setter Chelsea Hayes (Atascadero, Calif./Saint Mary's College) are making their second appearance as an All-Big West First Team member. Waldowski, blasting a league-leading .394 hitting percentage, has dominated the conference in hitting percentage throughout the year and ranks in the conference’s top 10 in kills. Quirarte boasts a .293 clip to rank second on the Gauchos' squad. Leading the way in assists is Hayes, who averages 12.70 assists per game.
Of the eight players on the Honorable Mention Team, Cal State Fullerton and Pacific received a pair of nods a piece, while Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, UC Irvine and UC Riverside each picked up one selection.
The Gauchos and Anteaters each placed two members on the 2006 Big West All-Freshman Team, while Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge and Pacific each added one, respectively.
At the net, Crimes tallied a 1.34 block per game average to rank second in the league. She also showed her explosiveness on offense, firing a .379 hitting percentage to hold the second place spot. The all-around player leads the 49ers in kills, hitting percentage and blocks.
Atherstone's 4.50 kill per game average has dominated the Big West all year. The 6-1 sophomore was consistent throughout the season and for her efforts she earned two conference player of the week honors and was recognized nationally on Oct. 23 after being tabbed Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Year.
Wearing a Matador uniform for the first time, Hupp (Acton, Calif.) proved to be a valuable asset, both offensively and defensively. She started in all 96 games, splitting time between the setter and outside hitter positions. Hupp currently leads the Matadors in assists (586), while placing third in kills (232) and total blocks (83).
In just his second season at the helm of the Cal Poly (22-5) squad, Head Coach Jon Stevenson guided the Mustangs to their first conference title in 22 years after posting a 13-1 Big West record. In his two-year stint competing in the Big West, he has compiled a 23-5 record (.821) in conference play and an overall record of 40-11 (.784). Stevenson has also elevated the team to top 25 status with Cal Poly making its first appearance in the national polls since 1999. The Mustangs are currently tied for 15th in the country in the AVCA/CSTV poll, their highest ranking of the season.
Seven teams were represented on the first team with Cal Poly leading the way with five representatives, a feat that has not been matched since the 1998 season when Long Beach State earned five nods. UC Santa Barbara earned four selections, followed by Long Beach State with three and Cal State Northridge receiving two. Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine and Pacific each garnered one All-Big West First Team member.
Gauchos Brett Quirarte (Long Beach, Calif./Wilson HS) and Olivia Waldowski (Irvine, Calif./Nebraska) and Mustang setter Chelsea Hayes (Atascadero, Calif./Saint Mary's College) are making their second appearance as an All-Big West First Team member. Waldowski, blasting a league-leading .394 hitting percentage, has dominated the conference in hitting percentage throughout the year and ranks in the conference’s top 10 in kills. Quirarte boasts a .293 clip to rank second on the Gauchos' squad. Leading the way in assists is Hayes, who averages 12.70 assists per game.
Of the eight players on the Honorable Mention Team, Cal State Fullerton and Pacific received a pair of nods a piece, while Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, UC Irvine and UC Riverside each picked up one selection.
The Gauchos and Anteaters each placed two members on the 2006 Big West All-Freshman Team, while Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge and Pacific each added one, respectively.
