UVA-Wise Volleyball Hands out Season Team Awards

January 27, 2007

Wise, VA – On Friday night, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise celebrated its 2006 women’s volleyball season by having its Awards Banquet in the Slemp Student Center. The 2006 awards were highlighted by top player Tasha Viers receiving the Most Valuable Player honor.

The Lady Cavs finished 11-17 in the first year under head coach Steve Dallman. His squad saw NAIA All-Region XII and All-AAC middle hitter Viers ( Abingdon, VA) pace the team. Viers earned both region and conference awards for the second year in a row, three-time academic all-conference and will play for a traveling USA volleyball team this summer. The junior led the team with 327 kills, 3.94 kills per game, .313 hitting percentage while adding 65 blocks, 178 digs and 24 aces.

Senior Kate Daub ( Williamsburg, VA) was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year. The 2005 All-Region and All-AAC selection was second on the UVA-Wise squad in kills (292), kills per game (3.14/gm) and hitting percentage (.218). She added 198 digs, 27 aces and 38 blocks.

Defensive specialist Britney Lawson was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year for UVA-Wise. The Duffield, Va. Native paced the defense with 319 digs. The sophomore contributed 14 kills, 19 aces and five blocks.

Libero/setter Cara Hamilton received the Team Player of the Year. The junior from Gate City, Va. switched from libero to setter part way through the season due to injuries to the squad and handled the job nicely. Hamilton handed out 348 assists while digging 178 balls to go with 29 aces and seven kills.

Second-year player Kristen Salyer was the final awardee as the Lady Cavs’ Most Improved Player. The outside hitter from Gate City, Va. was third in kills (245), kills per game (2.53/gm.) and hitting percentage (.205) on the year.