SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford's
Lauren Deaton was named the Southern Conference's Freshman of the Year, and three Samford players were named All-SoCon when the league released its postseason volleyball awards Wednesday afternoon.
Setter
Taylor Anderton and outside hitter
Krista Boesing were both named first team All-SoCon, while Deaton was named second team All-SoCon. Deaton also earned All-Freshman team honors.
Deaton ranked second on the team this season with 363 kills, averaging 2.98 kills per set. She also finished second on the squad in digs with 404, averaging 3.31 digs per set.
Anderton leads the nation in total assists with 1,332, and she leads the SoCon and ranks 32
nd nationally in kills per set (10.87). She posted at least 50 assists in 12 matches during the 2018 season.
Boesing leads the SoCon in total kills (447) and ranks third in the league in kills per set (3.66). She posted double-digit kills in 23 matches this season.
Samford earned the No. 2 seed for this week's SoCon Tournament. The Bulldogs will take on Chattanooga in Friday's quarterfinals at 4 p.m. (CT) in Greensboro, N.C.
2018 All-Southern Conference Volleyball Teams and Awards
Player of the Year – Leah Clayton, ETSU, Jr., OH
Libero of the Year – Marija Popovic, ETSU, So.
Rayna Taylor Freshman of the Year –
Lauren Deaton, Samford, OH
Coach of the Year – Lindsey Devine, ETSU
All-SoCon First Team
Leah Clayton, ETSU, Jr., OH
Alyssa Kvarta, ETSU, Sr., S
Marija Popovic, ETSU, So., LIB
Carris Campbell, Furman, Sr., MB
Paige Alsten, Mercer, Sr., MB
Taylor Anderton, Samford, Sr., S
Krista Boesing, Samford, Sr., OH
Catie Cronister, Wofford, Jr., OH
*eight players due to a tie
All-SoCon Second Team
Sharlissa De Jesus, The Citadel, So., OH
Mariah McPartland, ETSU, Sr., MB
Braedyn Tutton, ETSU, Sr. MB
Meg DeMaar, Furman, R-Sr., L
Hunter Thompson, Furman, R-Sr., S
Lauren Deaton, Samford, Fr., OH
Dani Szczepanski, Chattanooga, Jr., MB
Colleen Reilly, Wofford, Sr., MB
*eight players due to a tie
All-Freshman Team
Madison Gresham, Furman, OH
Neci Harris, Furman, MB
Annie Karle, Mercer, OH
Brittany Major, Mercer, OH
Lauren Deaton, Samford, OH
Gylian Finch, Chattanooga, OH
Merry Gebel, Western Carolina, OH
