Melissa Vanderhall Named SSC’s Top Player as Chris Catanach Earns Coach of the Year Award

ORLANDO, Fla. - Melissa Vanderhall became the first University of Tampa sophomore to be named Sunshine State Conference Volleyball Player of the Year since Ania Ruiz in 2001 as head coach Chris Catanach picked up his 14th SSC Coach of the Year honor.

UT's Camila Saade also joined Vanderhall as a first-team all-SSC selection as Danielle MacDonald was chosen to the second team. Sam Macks was an honorable mention choice as Eva Dupay earned a spot on the all-freshman team. A total of 25 student-athletes representing all nine conference institutions were named to the all-Sunshine State Conference Volleyball Team, announced Thursday by Commissioner Michael J. Marcil. Saint Leo's Danielle Bletso was tabbed Freshman of the Year.

Voting for the all-conference team was conducted among the league's volleyball coaches and sports information directors.

Joining Vanderhall on the all-SSC first team were: outside hitters Danielle Durham (Florida Southern), Camila Lins (Lynn), and Camilla Pagnan (Barry); middle blocker Danielle Higginbotham (Florida Southern); setter Valia Petrova (Nova Southeastern); and libero Saade (Tampa).

Named to the all-SSC second team were: outside hitters Lydee Benoit (Eckerd) and Nikki Hartman (Rollins); middle blockers Kaitlin McKenna (Saint Leo) and Daris Rodriguez (Lynn); right side McDonald (Tampa); setter Michelle Nogueras (Saint Leo); and libero Lauren Evans (Barry).

Receiving honorable mention were middle blockers Emily Carle (Nova Southeastern) and Sacha Gumbs (Florida Tech) and middle hitter Macks (Tampa).

Seven student-athletes joined Bletso on the all-freshman team. Honorees were: outside hitter/middle blocker Janelle Branch (Florida Tech), right side Ariana Chinn (Eckerd), libero Phoebe Corder (Rollins), right side Dupay (Tampa), middle blocker Jessica Shirey (Lynn); middle blocker Molly Sigerich (Nova Southeastern), and setter Libby Walter (Barry).

A sophomore outside hitter, Vanderhall led the No. 6 Spartans in kills, points, and solo blocks. Her average of 3.6 kills per set ranks fifth in the league, while her 0.43 service aces per frame also rank fifth. Additionally, the native of Hempstead, N.Y., is averaging 1.79 digs and 0.40 blocks per set while hitting at a .268 clip. She becomes the seventh player in UT volleyball history to earn the league's top honor. Tampa has now claimed four consecutive Player of the Year awards, including Ericka Womack (2005), Stephanie Rivera (2006) and Erin Clark (2007).

Catanach wins his 14th Coach of the Year nod after leading the Spartans to their fourth straight SSC title. The squad sports a 26-4 overall record and a 13-3 mark in league play. Currently ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division II, UT has been ranked in the top 10 all season. As the top-ranked team in the South Region, the Spartans are serving as host for this week's regional tournament.

SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
OH - Danielle Durham, Florida Southern, Senior
MB - Danielle Higginbotham, Florida Southern, Senior
OH - Camila Lins, Lynn, Senior
OH - Camilla Pagnan, Barry, Senior
S - Valia Petrova, Nova Southeastern, Senior
OH - Melissa Vanderhall, Tampa, Sophomore
L - Camila Saade, Tampa, Senior

Player of the Year - Melissa Vanderhall, Tampa
Coach of the Year - Chris Catanach, Tampa
Freshman of the Year - Danielle Bletso, Saint Leo

SECOND TEAM
OH - Lydee Benoit, Eckerd, Junior
OH - Nikki Hartman, Rollins, Junior
RS - Danielle MacDonald, Tampa, Senior
MB - Kaitlin McKenna, Saint Leo, Sophomore
S - Michelle Nogueras, Saint Leo, Junior
MB - Daris Rodriguez, Lynn, Senior
L - Lauren Evans, Barry, Senior

HONORABLE MENTION
MB - Emily Carle, Nova Southeastern, Senior
MB - Sacha Gumbs, Florida Tech, Senior
MH - Sam Macks, Tampa, Sophomore

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
MB - Danielle Bletso, Saint Leo
OH/MB - Janelle Branch, Florida Tech
RS - Ariana Chinn, Eckerd
L - Phoebe Corder, Rollins
RS - Eva Dupay, Tampa
MB - Jessica Shirey, Lynn
MB - Molly Sigerich, Nova Southeastern
S - Libby Walter, Barry