FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rob Turner, William & Mary
(804) 289-8320
  
December 17, 2007


Sarah Kirkwood Selected as VaSID University Division Volleyball Player of the Year

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — University of Virginia senior outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood and Liberty Head Coach Shane Pinder have been selected as the 2007 Virginia University Division Volleyball Player and Coach of the Year by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID).

2007 VaSID University Division Volleyball All-State Team

After an outstanding senior season, Kirkwood was a first-team All-ACC selection and garnered a spot on the AVCA All-East Region First Team. En route to helping the Cavaliers post an 18-13 record, she led the squad with 4.51 kills per game and was second on the team with 3.50 digs per game. A four-time all-conference honoree, the Tampa, Fla., native finished her career the program’s all-time leader in kills, attack attempts and service aces.

Honored as the Big South Coach of the Year, Pinder guided Liberty to a 27-9 record overall and an 11-1 mark in conference play. Additionally, the Lady Flames claimed the conference tournament title and earned an NCAA Tournament bid. LU’s 27 victories established a program Division I record and marked a 16-win improvement from the team’s 11-18 mark in 2006.

Joining Kirkwood on the all-state first team are Liberty setter Kallie Corbin (Beaverton, Ore.), James Madison middle blocker Allyson Halls (Columbus, Ohio), James Madison libero Jena Pierson (San Antonio, Texas), Liberty right-side hitter Nicki Scripko (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Virginia Tech middle blocker Felicia Willoughby (Pleasanton, Calif.). Willoughby was also selected as the VaSID Rookie of the Year.

The second team is comprised of Virginia libero Melissa Caldwell (Houston, Texas), Virginia Tech libero Amanda Cloyd (Muncie, Ind.), George Mason outside hitter Jaqueline Kohler (Curitiba, Brazil), Liberty middle blocker Chelaine McCarty (Houston, Ala.), William and Mary setter Kim Mount (Corte Madera, Calif.) and Virginia Tech outside hitter Taylor Parrish (Brentwood, Tenn.).

All-State teams are selected by active members of the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association.  For more information, please visit the VaSID site at http://www.ferrum.edu/athletics/vasid.