UMBC

UMBC freshman Sarah Ball was named America East Rookie of the Year on Thursday.

Albany, N.Y. – UMBC freshman Sarah Ball (Winnipeg, Canada/Sisler) was a unanimous selection as America East Conference Volleyball Rookie of the Year for the 2005 season.  Ball was also named honorable mention all-conference and joined classmate Ashley Hargrove (Covington, Wash./Kentwood) on the all-rookie team.  Award voting was conducted by conference coaches and was announced at the annual league awards banquet held in Albany, the site of the 2005 America East Tournament. 

Ball was a seven-time America East Rookie of the Week selection this season, the most by a volleyball rookie in conference history.  Ball ranked third in points per game and kills per game in the conference standings, averaging 4.45 ppg and 3.81 kpg on the year.  The rookie outside hitter tallied double-digit kills in every collegiate match except one, scoring nine kills in that match.  Ball tallied a team-high 12 double-doubles on the year. 

Hargrove led UMBC in hitting percentage at .275 and service aces, averaging 0.44 per game.  Hargrove also ranked second in blocks at 0.90 bpg.  Hargrove ranked in the top-10 in all three categories in the America East Conference charts.  Hargrove tallied 82 total assisted blocks on the year, fourth best in UMBC history for a single-season. 

University at Albany junior Blair Buchanan took home Player of the Year and Setter of the Year accolades while her teammate Ashley DeNeal garnered Defensive Specialist of the Year honors. Binghamton head coach Glenn Kiriyama was recognized as the Coach of the Year.