JONESBORO, Ark. (11/17/16) – The Arkansas State volleyball team racked up a number of postseason Sun Belt Conference accolades as announced by the league Thursday afternoon with Carlisa May winning Offensive Player of the Year, Markie Schaedig earning Defensive Player of the Year, Mallory Warrington claiming Setter of the Year, Kenzie Fields picking up Freshman of the Year, and David Rehr being named as Coach of the Year.
The Defensive Player of the Year award is Schaedig's third, tied for the most in league history, while the Setter of the Year award for Warrington is her second in a row. This is the second year in a row for an A-State player to win Freshman of the Year after May claimed it a year ago and it is Coach Rehr's second straight Coach of the Year honor. Additionally, May, Kelsey Reis, Schaedig, and Warrington were First-Team All-SBC, while Fields was named Second-Team All-SBC.
“I'm so proud of all of our accomplishments as a team along with having our players recognized as individuals,” said Rehr. “It speaks volumes to have the other coaches around the Sun Belt Conference vote our players as Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Setter of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and All-Conference is truly an honor and a testament to all of the hard work these players and our team have put in. I couldn't be more proud, but now it's time to focus on tomorrow's match versus Georgia State.”
A native of Lee's Summit, Mo., May didn't suffer a sophomore slump as she leads the team with 403 kills (3.88 per set) and is the first player since Cayla Fielder in 2011 to eclipse 400 kills. The outside hitter's 3.88 per set mark led the league, while her 3.83 per set mark in conference matches ranked second. Additionally, she contributed 44 digs and 28 digs on the defensive side of the court. She was named the SBC Offensive Player of the Week two times this year.
Schaedig, a native of Little Rock, Ark., led the league with a 5.30 per set average and has a total of 557 digs on the year, which is the 10th most in a single season in school history. The senior libero has helped the A-State defense hold opponents to a .164 hitting percentage that is second in the conference and 25th in the country. She won two SBC Defensive Player of the Week awards this season.
A native of Lake St. Louis, Mo., Warrington claimed 10 of the league's 12 Setter of the Week awards, including the first six, and has dished out 1,253 assists for an 11.93 per set average. The 1,253 helpers are the ninth most in a single season in school history, while the 11.93 per set average currently ranks second in the nation. She's also registered 308 digs on the year (second most on the team) and has a team-best 14 double-doubles.
Fields, a redshirt freshman, was called into action early in the year after a couple of injuries and hasn't relinquished much playing time since. The Bartlett, Tenn., native is second on the team with 262 kills and fourth on the team with 210 digs. Additionally, she's the team leader in aces with 27 and second on the squad with five double-doubles. She was named SBC Freshman of the Week twice.
A native of Smithton, Ill., Reis ranks third on the team with 196 kills on a .363 hitting percentage that ranks second in the league and 42nd in the country. She was even better in conference play with a scalding .482 hitting percentage. The senior middle blocker is the team's leader in blocks with 69, including 22 block solos.
The All-Sun Belt Conference honors for Schaedig and Warrington are the third of their careers. Schaedig was a First-Team selection in 2014, 2015, and 2016, while Warrington earned Second-Team accolades in 2014 in addition to her First-Team honors in 2015 and 2016. May was a First-Team honoree a season ago along with this season, while the same holds true for Reis.
The Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year honor comes to Coach Rehr after the team went 15-1 to win the SBC's West Division and claim the top seed in the league tournament. A-State has won 31 of its last 32 SBC matches under Rehr's leadership.
Arkansas State, the No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, will take on No. 8 Georgia State at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas. All matches of the SBC Tournament will be broadcast on ESPN3. Live stats will be available on AStateStats.com.
Fans can follow the team on Twitter (@stAteVolleyball) and Instagram (astatevolleyball) along with liking the Arkansas State University Volleyball page on Facebook for the latest news and updates regarding the team.
2016 All-Sun Belt Conference Teams
First Team All-Conference
Edina Selimovic (Little Rock, Senior, MB)
Carlisa May (Arkansas State, Sophomore, OH)
Kelsey Reis (Arkansas State, Senior, MB)
Markie Schaedig (Arkansas State, Senior, L/DS)
Mallory Warrington (Arkansas State, Senior, S)
Leah Hardeman (Coastal Carolina, Junior, OH)
Annayka Legros (Coastal Carolina, Senior, MB)
Kelsey Weynand (Texas State, Senior, OH)
Second Team All-Conference
Carolee Dillard (Little Rock, Redshirt Senior, MB)
Kenzie Fields (Arkansas State, Freshman, OH)
Tahleia Bishop (Coastal Carolina, Senior, OH)
Alex Beecher (Georgia Southern, Senior, L/DS)
Mechell Daniel (South Alabama, Senior, OH)
Qiana Cañete (UT Arlington, Junior, OH)
Erin Hoppe (Texas State, Junior, S)
Lauren Kirch (Texas State, Senior, MB)
Player of the Year
Leah Hardeman (Coastal Carolina, Junior, OH)
Offensive Player of the Year
Carlisa May (Arkansas State, Sophomore, OH)
Defensive Player of the Year
Markie Schaedig (Arkansas State, Senior, L/DS)
Setter of the Year
Mallory Warrington (Arkansas State, Senior, S)
Freshman of the Year
Kenzie Fields (Arkansas State, Freshman, OH)
Newcomer of the Year
Tahleia Bishop (Coastal Carolina, Senior, OH)
Coach of the Year
David Rehr, Arkansas State
