Nov. 15, 2007

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Southern Conference announced today the 2007 Volleyball All-Conference selections from Chattanooga, Tenn., the site of the 2007 Volleyball Champoinship.

Furman led all Southern Conference schools with four all-conference selections.

Junior middle blocker Nicole Palazzo was named first-team all-conference, and senior outside hitter Chibuzo Aguocha earned first-team honors as well. This was Palazzo's second all-conference selection and Aguocha's third nod.

Palazzo leads the conference in hitting percentage (.350) and blocks per game (1.47). She is also ranked 27th in the NCAA in blocks per game and 53rd in hitting percentage. Aguocha leads the Paladins in kills and kills per game. She has recorded 1,603 kills in her career, placing her second on Furman's all-time list.

Earning second-team all-conference honors were senior setter Courtney Stewardson and junior outside hitter Alison West, with Stewardson earning her second all-conference nod.

Stewardson leads a Paladin offense that ranks first in the conference in hitting percentage and fourth in kills per game. With 4511 assists during her career, Stewardson ranks third on Furman's all-time list. West ranks second on the team in kills and kills per game and leads the team in digs with 341 defensive saves on the season.

Appalachian State's Brittany Zahn was named the Player of the Year by the coaches. The Mountaineers' head coach Mtt Ginipro was tabbed the coach of the Year by his peers after leading Appalachian State to the second-seed in this year's tournament and an 18-13 overall record. His wins included an 11-match win streak late in the season.

Chattanooga's Lara Newberry earned the Libero of the Year award. College of Charleston's Cole Dawley earned the Rayna Taylor Freshman of the Year award.

The Paladins begin tournament play Friday at 12:30 with a match against 7th-seeded UNC Greensboro.

First Team Brittany Zahn, Appalachian State Tiffany Blum, College of Charleston Lindsey Kane, College of Charleston Chibuzo Aguocha, Furman Nicole Palazzo, Furman Leslee Ball, Chattanooga

Second Team Diana Thomas, Appalachian State Annie Uthe, College of Charleston Courtney Stewardson, Furman Alison West, Furman Kaitlyn Nortz, UNC Greensboro Lara Newberry, Chattanooga

Player of the Year: Brittany Zahn, Appalachian State Libero of the Year: Lara Newberry, Chattanooga Rayna Taylor Freshman of the Year: Cole Dawley, College of Charleston Coach of the Year: Matt Ginipro, Appalachian State