Melissa Vanderhall Named Daktronics South Region Player of the Year

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - University of Tampa volleyball player Melissa Vanderhall was named the Daktronics South Region Player of the Year, following up her Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year award. Gabriela Saade joined Vanderhall on the first team as Danielle MacDonald was named to the second team.

Vanderhall, a sophomore outside hitter from Hempstead, N.Y., was also named first-team all-SSC while leading the Spartans with 381 kills. She also ranked first on the team with 21 block solos, 456.5 points and a .965 reception percentage. She also ranked second on the team in service aces (44) and third in digs (189).

Saade, a senior setter from San Juan, P.R., repeats after being a first-team selection as a junior. She led the team for the fourth consecutive season with 817 assists. She also finished second with 213 digs.

MacDonald, a senior right side hitter from Barberville, Fla., finished second on the team with 288 kills to go with a .351 hitting percentage. She also registered 67 blocks assists, 75 total blocks and 330.5 points, all second on the team.

2008 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-South Region Team
First Team
Gabriela Saade, S, 5-7, Sr., Tampa
Danielle Higginbotham, MB, 6-1, Sr., Florida Southern
Patricia Gandolfo, MB, 6-3, Jr., West Florida
Melissa Vanderhall, OH, 5-9, So., Tampa
Camilla Pagnan, OH, 5-10, Sr., Barry
Camila Lins, OH, 6-2, Sr., Lynn
Bethany Wright, Lib., 5-7, Jr., Henderson State

Second Team
Kayla Allison, S, 6-0, Sr., Arkansas Tech
Valia Petrova, S, 5-10, Sr., Nova Southeastern
Danielle MacDonald, RS, 6-1, Sr., Tampa
Sarah Von Lienen, MB, 6-2, So., Arkansas Tech
Luciana Rapach, OH, 5-9, Sr., West Florida
Manuela Nesheva, OH, 5-8, Jr., Harding
Nikki Hartman, OH, 5-9, Jr., Rollins
Phoebe Corder, Lib., 5-8, Fr., Rollins

South Region Player of the Year: Melissa Vanderhall, Tampa