CORTLAND, N.Y.- The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announced its annual women's volleyball awards and All-Conference teams for 2017. All awards were nominated and voted on by the conference coaches.
Player of the Year - Grace Cergol, Geneseo
The sophomore East Northport native has been a key part of the Geneseo volleyball success this year. Cergol led the team in kills with 486 and is second in digs with 398. She leads the SUNYAC in kills per set at 4.34 and in total kills. Outside of being the team's stat leader, she is one of their go-to players when the team needs a clutch point. Cergol is ranked ninth nationally in total attacks with 1108 and is fifth in attacks per set at 12.88.
Tri-Defensive Players of the Year - Courtney Poirier, Fredonia
The senior from West Seneca has been one of the best defensive players in the SUNYAC this year. Poirier leads Fredonia in digs with 492 and digs per set (4.24) and has 43 service aces. She earned her 1000th career dig earlier this season (1322). Poirier was named to the All-Tournament teams at the Buffalo State and Clarkson tournaments this year.
Veronica Matedero, New Paltz
This is the senior's second Defensive Player of the Year award after winning the honor in 2016. Matedero, a Hauppauge, N.Y., native, was one of the big reasons that New Paltz made it to the SUNYAC playoffs this year. During the regular-season, she led the team in digs with 487 and digs per set (4.06). She also was second on the team in aces (33) and pitched in offensively with 43 assists.
Sam Mendelsohn, Geneseo
The sophomore captain from Williamsville, N.Y. has been one of the best defensive players all year in the SUNYAC. Mendelsohn currently leads the conference in total digs with 179 in conference and 550 overall. She also leads the conference in digs per set with 5.26 in conference play and 4.82 overall. With 879 digs as a sophomore, Mendelsohn is already 13th in Geneseo's record book.
Rookie of the Year - Meaghan Mastro, Brockport
The freshman from Apalachin, N.Y., had an outstanding rookie season, helping Brockport to the one seed in the SUNYAC tournament and championship. Mastro is third on the team in kills (170), averaging 2.05 kills per set. She was also first on the team in total blocks with 62 and first with blocks per set at 0.75. She also pitched in with 220.5 points and added 12 aces. Meaghan was also voted Second-Team All-Conference as a freshman this year.
Coach of the Year - Geoff Braun, Fredonia
The longtime coach of Fredonia, Braun had an outstanding year, leading the Devils to a record of 22-10 and the second seed in the SUNYAC tournament. Braun has completed his 19th consecutive winning season at Fredonia. This will be his fourth SUNYAC Coach of the Year award, winning the award in 2003, 2007, and 2008.
2017 SUNYAC Volleyball All-Conference Teams (PDF)
|
Name |
Yr. |
Pos. |
School |
Hometown/High School |
|
First Team |
||||
|
Noelle Poloncarz |
Sr. |
S |
Brockport |
Orchard Park, N.Y. / Orchard Park |
|
Kailey Falk |
Jr. |
OH |
Fredonia |
York, N.Y. / Our Lady of Mercy |
|
Courtney Poirier |
Sr. |
L |
Fredonia |
West Seneca, N.Y. / West Seneca West |
|
Grace Cergol |
So. |
OH |
Geneseo |
East Northport, N.Y. / John Glenn |
|
Sam Mendelsohn |
So. |
DS/L |
Geneseo |
Williamsville, N.Y. / Williamsville East |
|
Veronica Matedero |
Sr. |
L |
New Paltz |
Hauppauge, N.Y. / Hauppauge |
|
Second Team |
|
|
|
|
|
Laiken Fox |
Fr. |
OH |
Brockport |
Ballston Spa, N.Y. /Ballston Spa |
|
Meaghan Mastro |
Fr. |
MB |
Brockport |
Apalachin, N.Y. / Vestal |
|
DeAnna Ortiz-Whittemore |
Jr. |
OH |
Brockport |
Niskayuna, N.Y. / Niskayuna |
|
Emily Ast |
Jr. |
S |
Geneseo |
Lancaster, N.Y. / Lancaster |
|
Taylor Cimillo |
Jr. |
OH |
New Paltz |
Monsey, N.Y. / Suffern |
|
Maddie Zwickl |
Sr. |
S |
New Paltz |
Chester, N.Y. / Warwick Valley |
|
Third Team |
|
|
|
|
|
Maddy Taylor |
Jr. |
DS |
Brockport |
Corning, N.Y. / Corning-Painted Post East |
|
Jessica Allen |
Jr. |
MB |
Cortland |
Syracuse, N.Y. / West Genesee |
|
Hallie Christopher |
Sr. |
S |
Fredonia |
East Amherst, N.Y. / Clarence |
|
Kristen Stanek |
Sr. |
OH |
Fredonia |
Hamburg, N.Y. / Orchard Park |
|
Abby May |
So. |
OH/OPP |
Geneseo |
Baldwinsville, N.Y. / C.W. Baker |
|
Melissa Voyer |
Sr. |
RS/MB |
Oneonta |
Baldwinsville, N.Y. / C.W. Baker |