Hobbs Named SoCon Player Of The Year

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford outside hitter Kelsi Hobbs was named the Southern Conference's Player of the Year when the league released its postseason volleyball awards Wednesday afternoon.

Hobbs was joined on the All-SoCon first team by sophomore outside hitter Lauren Deaton. Freshman libero Emily Naubert was named to the SoCon's All-Freshman team.

For the season, Hobbs leads the Southern Conference in both total kills (397) and kills per set (3.89). She had double-digit kills in all but one of Samford's matches this season. She posted double-doubles, with double digits in both kills and digs, 10 times.

Deaton ranked second in the SoCon behind Hobbs in both total kills (387) and kills per set (3.79). Deaton tallied nine double-doubles during the season for the Bulldogs.

Naubert ranked fourth in the league in digs per set (4.02). She also ranked fifth in the SoCon in total digs (394).

Samford finished the season as the SoCon's regular season champion with a 15-1 record in league matches, the best record in conference play in school history. The team posted a mark of 21-5 overall. The Bulldogs will take on The Citadel in the SoCon Tournament quarterfinals Friday at 12:30 p.m. (CT) in Spartanburg, S.C.

2019 All-Southern Conference Volleyball Teams and Awards
Player of the Year – Kelsi Hobbs, Samford, Sr., RS
Libero of the Year –Meagan Sanchez, Western Carolina, Sr.
Rayna Taylor Freshman of the Year – Olivia Cunningham, ETSU, OH
Coach of the Year – Karen Glover, Western Carolina

All-SoCon First Team
Kaela Massey, ETSU, Sr., MB
Marija Popovic, ETSU, Jr., L
Neci Harris, Furman, So., MB
Courtney Hoffman, Furman, R-Jr., MB
Lauren Deaton, Samford, So., OH
Kelsi Hobbs, Samford, Sr., OH
Meagan Sanchez, Western Carolina, Sr., L

All-SoCon Second Team
Sharlissa De Jesus, The Citadel, Jr., OH
Emily Arnold, ETSU, Fr., S
Olivia Cunningham, ETSU, Fr., OH
Nicole Mack, Furman, R-Jr., OH
Merry Gebel, Western Carolina, So., OH
Riley Coonan, Wofford, Jr., MB
Catie Cronister, Wofford, Sr., OH

All-Freshman Team
Emily Arnold, ETSU, S
Olivia Cunningham, ETSU, OH
Lauren Hatch, ETSU, OH
Andrea Aceveda, Furman, L
Jaida Howell, Mercer, MB
Emily Naubert, Samford, L
Meghan Yaffa, Wofford, OH

Players Mentioned

Lauren Deaton

Kelsi Hobbs

Emily Naubert

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