Congrats to Coach Sheffield and Blair Buchanan

[Dane Pound]

For earning coach of the year honors and player of the year honors. Buchanan, Shelby Goldman, Ashley Hunter and Ashlee Reed were named all conference.

 

There's also a story in today's TU about the tourney. UAlbany spikers eye NCAAs-TU

 

BLAIR BUCHANAN NAMED AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

 

Boston, Mass. – UAlbany’s Blair Buchanan was named the America East Conference Player of the Year and Setter of the Year as announced by the conference office on Thursday, Nov. 18. Kelly Sheffield was voted America East Coach of the Year by his peers. Buchanan became the first player in conference history to be named both player and setter of the year.

 

In addition to the major awards, three Great Danes joined Buchanan with all-conference accolades. Outside hitters Shelby Goldman and Ashley Hunter, along with middle hitter Ashlee Reed, were named to the first team.

 

A sophomore setter, Buchanan leads the conference with 1,294 assists and an average of 12.56 per game. She also has tallied 135 kills on 287 attempts for a .338 hitting percentage. Buchanan added 238 digs and 28 blocks. A six-time America East setter of the week honoree this season, Buchanan set the UAlbany single-season record for assists and is fourth on the all-time list with 2,160.

 

Sheffield, who is in his fourth year at the helm of the Great Dane program, guided the squad to its first America East regular-season crown with a 25-6 record, including 13-2 in conference play. UAlbany finished with its most victories since the 1988 team won 37 matches. The Great Danes also set a school record with an 18-match unbeaten streak.

 

Goldman established a personal-best with 440 kills this season to lead the UAlbany attack. Her average of 4.19 kills per game is the best in the America East. Goldman tallied 10-plus kills in 29 matches, including a string of 26 straight.

 

A strong offensive and defensive player, Reed finished the regular season with 284 kills (2.65 pg) and 234 digs (2.19 pg). She has converted on 649 attempts and is third in the conference with a .327 hitting percentage. Reed also sits third on the team with 76 blocks. Reed, a junior, ranks among UAlbany’s career top 10 in kills (812) and blocks (214).

 

Hunter ranks second on the Great Danes with 321 kills in her first season at UAlbany after transferring from St. Louis University. She averages 3.57 kills per game, which is sixth-best among the conference leaders. Hunter has also managed 74 digs and 24 blocks.

 

UAlbany, as the top seed, will host the America East Conference Tournament on Friday and Saturday at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes play Binghamton in the first semifinal on Friday at 5:00 p.m., while No. 2 Northeastern meets Maine at 7:30 p.m. The championship is slated for Saturday at 4:00 p.m., with winner receiving a NCAA berth.

[reeder]

There is also a nice video clip on the fox site about Rodriquez serving abilities and her record