All-SSC Volleyball Team Announced
A total of 25 student-athletes representing all nine conference institutions were named to the All-Sunshine State Conference Volleyball Team, announced Thursday by Commissioner Michael J. Marcil. Tampa’s Melissa Vanderhall was selected Player of the Year, while Spartan head coach Chris Catanach was chosen Coach of the Year. Saint Leo’s Danielle Bletso was tabbed Freshman of the Year.
Voting for the all-conference team was conducted among the league’s volleyball coaches and sports information directors.
Joining Vanderhall on the All-SSC First Team were: outside hitters Danielle Durham (Florida Southern), Camila Lins (Lynn), and Camilla Pagnan (Barry); middle blocker Danielle Higginbotham (Florida Southern); setter Valia Petrova (Nova Southeastern); and libero Camila Saade (Tampa).
Named to the All-SSC Second Team were: outside hitters Lydee Benoit (Eckerd) and Nikki Hartman (Rollins); middle blockers Kaitlin McKenna (Saint Leo) and Daris Rodriguez (Lynn); right side Danielle McDonald (Tampa); setter Michelle Nogueras (Saint Leo); and libero Lauren Evans (Barry).
Receiving honorable mention were middle blockers Emily Carle (Nova Southeastern) and Sacha Gumbs (Florida Tech) and middle hitter Sam Macks (Tampa).
Seven student-athletes joined Bletso on the All-Freshman Team. Honorees were: outside hitter/middle blocker Janelle Branch (Florida Tech), right side Ariana Chinn (Eckerd), libero Phoebe Corder (Rollins), right side Eva Dupay (Tampa), middle blocker Jessica Shirey (Lynn); middle blocker Molly Sigerich (Nova Southeastern), and setter Libby Walter (Barry).
A sophomore outside hitter, Vanderhall led the No. 6 Spartans in kills, points, and solo blocks. Her average of 3.6 kills per set ranks fifth in the league, while her 0.43 service aces per frame also rank fifth. Additionally, the native of Hempstead, N.Y., is averaging 1.79 digs and 0.40 blocks per set while hitting at a .268 clip.
Catanach wins his 14th Coach of the Year nod after leading the Spartans to their fourth straight SSC title. The squad sports a 26-4 overall record and a 13-3 mark in league play. Currently ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division II, UT has been ranked in the top 10 all season. As the top-ranked team in the South Region, the Spartans are serving as host for this week’s regional tournament.
A middle blocker, Bletso has played a key role on a Saint Leo front line that ranks third in all of Division II with an average of 2.51 blocks per set. She ranks second in the conference with an average of 0.97 blocks per set. She also ranks second with a .377 hitting percentage. A native of Boardman, Ohio, Bletso is averaging 1.84 kills per frame.
SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
OH – Danielle Durham, Florida Southern, Senior
MB – Danielle Higginbotham, Florida Southern, Senior
OH – Camila Lins, Lynn, Senior
OH – Camilla Pagnan, Barry, Senior
S – Valia Petrova, Nova Southeastern, Senior
OH – Melissa Vanderhall, Tampa, Sophomore
L – Camila Saade, Tampa, Senior
Player of the Year – Melissa Vanderhall, Tampa
Coach of the Year – Chris Catanach, Tampa
Freshman of the Year – Danielle Bletso, Saint Leo
SECOND TEAM
OH – Lydee Benoit, Eckerd, Junior
OH – Nikki Hartman, Rollins, Junior
RS – Danielle MacDonald, Tampa, Senior
MB – Kaitlin McKenna, Saint Leo, Sophomore
S – Michelle Nogueras, Saint Leo, Junior
MB – Daris Rodriguez, Lynn, Senior
L – Lauren Evans, Barry, Senior
HONORABLE MENTION
MB – Emily Carle, Nova Southeastern, Senior
MB – Sacha Gumbs, Florida Tech, Senior
MH – Sam Macks, Tampa, Sophomore
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
MB – Danielle Bletso, Saint Leo
OH/MB – Janelle Branch, Florida Tech
RS – Ariana Chinn, Eckerd
L – Phoebe Corder, Rollins
RS – Eva Dupay, Tampa
MB – Jessica Shirey, Lynn
MB – Molly Sigerich, Nova Southeastern
S – Libby Walter, Barry