Lennon Named C-USA Player of the Year; Volpe Coach of the Year
11/15/2018 12:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
First Rice C-USA Player of Year in program history
IRVING, Texas – Accolades continued to pour in for the Rice volleyball team as sophomore outside hitter Nicole Lennon received the Conference USA Player of the Year and head coach Genny Volpe was named the C-USA Coach of the Year, as announced Thursday by the conference office.
Lennon becomes the first player in Rice history to be named C-USA Player of the Year, just one year removed from being selected the C-USA Co-Freshman of the Year.
The Katy, Texas native backed up a strong freshman campaign by leading the Owls in double-doubles (17), total points (473.0-4th in C-USA), points per set (4.55-3rd in C-USA), total kills (419-4th in C-USA), kills per set (4.03-3rd in C-USA) and total attacks (1,037-6th in C-USA). Lennon is also second on the Owls in total digs (329) and digs per set (3.16).
In her 15th season at the helm, Volpe led the Owls to a fifth straight 20-plus win season with a 21-6 record and Rice's first C-USA regular season title. The Owls achieved their best C-USA record (12-2) and recorded the longest win streak (15) in program history. Rice twice appeared in the AVCA Coaches Poll and reached as high as 25th in the NCAA RPI (currently 37th).
The winningest coach in program history with 283 victories, Volpe's squad placed five players on the 2018 All-C-USA teams, including three first-team members. Volpe adds another to her trophy case, having been named the C-USA Co-Coach of the Year in 2008.
Conference USA Superlative Awards
Player of the Year – Nicole Lennon, Rice
Setter of the Year – Ivone Martinez, Florida Atlantic
Libero of the Year – Yumi Garcia, Charlotte
Defensive Player of the Year – Tyra Galloway, Charlotte
Freshman of the Year – Kirby Smith, UTSA
Coach of the Year – Genny Volpe, Rice
-RiceOwls.com-
Lennon becomes the first player in Rice history to be named C-USA Player of the Year, just one year removed from being selected the C-USA Co-Freshman of the Year.
The Katy, Texas native backed up a strong freshman campaign by leading the Owls in double-doubles (17), total points (473.0-4th in C-USA), points per set (4.55-3rd in C-USA), total kills (419-4th in C-USA), kills per set (4.03-3rd in C-USA) and total attacks (1,037-6th in C-USA). Lennon is also second on the Owls in total digs (329) and digs per set (3.16).
In her 15th season at the helm, Volpe led the Owls to a fifth straight 20-plus win season with a 21-6 record and Rice's first C-USA regular season title. The Owls achieved their best C-USA record (12-2) and recorded the longest win streak (15) in program history. Rice twice appeared in the AVCA Coaches Poll and reached as high as 25th in the NCAA RPI (currently 37th).
The winningest coach in program history with 283 victories, Volpe's squad placed five players on the 2018 All-C-USA teams, including three first-team members. Volpe adds another to her trophy case, having been named the C-USA Co-Coach of the Year in 2008.
Conference USA Superlative Awards
Player of the Year – Nicole Lennon, Rice
Setter of the Year – Ivone Martinez, Florida Atlantic
Libero of the Year – Yumi Garcia, Charlotte
Defensive Player of the Year – Tyra Galloway, Charlotte
Freshman of the Year – Kirby Smith, UTSA
Coach of the Year – Genny Volpe, Rice
-RiceOwls.com-
Players Mentioned
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