Emma Ridley, the top scorer in the Southland Conference this past volleyball season, was recognized as the conference Newcomer of the Year and a First Team All-Southland member on Wednesday.  The awards are voted on by the league's coaches and sports information directors.

"This is a big honor for Emma, I'm really happy for her," said head coach Tony Graystone. "I'm proud of what she was able to accomplish, it's not always easy to come into a new environment and contribute the way she has."

Ridley shattered the previous record for kills in a season by an Islander and paced the conference in her first year at the school after transferring from Tulsa.  The impact was immediate and undeniable as she totaled 464 kills on the season and also led the Islanders with 218 digs.

"She did a great job this year," said Graystone. "We gave her a big role and she handled it well."

The former single-season record was 373, set by Lauren Smith during the 2002 season.  Ridley passed that mark against Sam Houston State and added 77 additional kills in the final five matches to set the new standard at 464 kills.

Ridley's selection to the first team marks the first time an Islander has been on the top squad since TAMUCC joined the Southland Conference.  It is the second time an Islander has won the Newcomer of the Year award, with Christine Feliz taking the honor following the 2006 season.

2009 All-Southland Conference Volleyball Teams

First Team

        

Name

School

Pos.

Cl.

Hometown/Previous School

Chloe Smith2

Central Arkansas

RS

Jr.

San Diego, Calif./Academy of Our Lady of Peace

Anna Ferguson2

Sam Houston State

MB

Sr.

Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands

Jessica Weynand2

Texas State

OH

Sr.

Brenham, Texas/Brenham

Robyn Smith3

Central Arkansas

S

Sr.

Lubbock, Texas/Coronado

Ashley Bailey

Stephen F. Austin

MB

Sr.

Mesquite, Texas/Mesquite

Amber Calhoun

Texas State

MB

So.

Houston, Texas/Second Baptist

Carli Kolbe

Sam Houston State

OH

So.

College Station, Texas/A&M Consolidated

Evaree Franklin

Central Arkansas

MB

Sr.

Sweeny, Texas/Sweeny

Adrianne Meengs2

Lamar

S

Sr.

Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood

Emma Ridley

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

OH

Jr.

Phoenix, Ariz./Tulsa

Kaylee Hawkins

Sam Houston State

L

Fr.

Dickinson, Texas/Dickinson

Tara Frantz

UT Arlington

OH

So.

Santa Fe, Texas/Santa Fe
         

Second Team

        

Name

School

Pos.

Cl.

Hometown/Prev. School

Cristin Curl

Central Arkansas

L

So.

Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa

MC Bottles

Stephen F. Austin

MB

So.

Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett

Wendy Krell

Lamar

MB

Fr.

Plano, Texas/Plano East

Mo Middleton

Texas State

OH

Jr.

Glendale, Ariz./New Mexico

Emily Shearin

UT Arlington

MB

So.

Dallas, Texas/Woodrow Wilson

Whitney Walls

UTSA

OH

Fr.

Arlington, Texas/Martin

2Two-time First-team selection

3Three-time First-team selection

Honorable Mention: Lauren Holdorff, Lamar; Priscilla Massengale, McNeese State; Amy Whitehead, Nicholls; Yelena Enwere, Northwestern State; Michelle Miller, Sam Houston State; Alex Greer, Southeastern Louisiana; Madison Hanlan, Stephen F. Austin; Bianca Sauls, UT Arlington; Kelsey Jewasko, UTSA; Kendra Rowland, UTSA

Player of the Year - Chloe Smith, Central Arkansas

Libero of the Year - Cristin Curl, Central Arkansas

Setter of the Year - Robyn Smith, Central Arkansas

Freshman of the Year - Wendy Krell, Lamar

Newcomer of the Year - Emma Ridley, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Coach of the Year - Steven McRoberts, Central Arkansas