NEW ORLEANS – University of South Alabama outside hitter Mechell Daniel was named second-team all-Sun Belt Conference, as announced by the league office Thursday.
Thursday's announcement marked the fourth time in as many years Daniel has earned all-conference honors. The Chelmsford, England, native finished the regular season ranked fourth in the SBC in kills per set (3.00) in league matches.
Daniel led South Alabama in kills per set (2.78) during the regular season, while also averaging 1.65 digs per set and 0.28 blocks per set. She recorded five double-doubles, making her the career double-double leader at USA. Daniel recorded a season-high 20 kills in a win at Little Rock earlier this season, and posted a career-high 22 digs in a win at Louisiana-Lafayette. She turned in 16 matches with 10 or more kills, including four of the final five contests of the regular season.
Daniel earned first-team all-SBC honors along with Freshman of the Year in 2013, and was a second-team all-conference selection in 2014 and '15. She helped USA to its best SBC finish (T-2nd in East Division) in program history this season, and has helped lead the Jaguars to the most wins (16) since the 1994 season.
"Mechell has wrote her name in the history books of South Alabama volleyball," USA head coach Amy Hendrichovsky said. "She is an incredible athlete and person. From the start of her freshman season until this past season, she has been a very reliable and consistent player. Mechell has set a high standard for others to follow and aim to reach.
"This past year Mechell's mindset from a leadership and competitor perspective has been irreplaceable. She was chosen as team captain this past spring, and has been a large part to this team's success this year. I'm really proud of her growth as a teammate, leader and competitor this year. She's really rose to the role she'ss needed to be for her team."
Coastal Carolina's Leah Hardeman was named the SBC Player of the Year. Carlisa May (Arkansas State) was voted the Offensive Player of the Year, Markie Schaedig (Arkansas State) was named Defensive Player of the Year, Mallory Warrington (Arkansas State) earned the Setter of the Year, Freshman of the Year went to Kenzie Fields (Arkansas State) and CCU's Tahleia Bishop was voted as the Newcomer of the Year. ASU's David Rehr was named the SBC Coach of the Year.
USA will face Texas State at noon Friday in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Arlington, Texas.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
—USA—
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
