Bayreuther Named NECC Defensive Player of the Year

ATTLEBORO, Mass.- The New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) released the 2012 NECC Women’s Volleyball All- Conference Team today with eight of the nine members represented on the all-conference team.

For the second consecutive season, Southern Vermont junior outside hitter Jessica Alvarez was selected as the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Women's Volleyball Player of the Year. Alvarez leads the league averaging 3.54 kills per set with a .378 hitting percentage.

Bay Path sophomore libero Kacie Bayreuther (East Lyme, Conn.) earned recognition as the NECC Defensive Player of the Year. Bayreuther ranks second in the conference averaging 5.85 digs per set along with 14 service aces. Bayreuther finished her sophomore campaign with 62 kills, 17 assists, 33 service aces and 387 digs.

Amanda Garcia was named NECC Rookie of the Year. During conference play, the first year middle hitter averaged 1.89 kills per set. In eight conference matches, she totaled 53 kills, 10 digs and nine blocks.

Southern Vermont head coach Josh Stokes was voted Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. Stokes has led the Mountaineers to a second straight undefeated record in conference play.

Bay Path College has been honored with the league's Sportsmanship Award.  The Wildcats are coached by Natalie Stothart.  Stothart led the Wildcats to a 12-11 overall record this season. NECC all-conference selections are determined by a vote of the conference coaches.

2012 NECC Women's Volleyball All-Conference Team

Player of the Year
Jessica Alvarez, Southern Vt. (Sr, OH - Eagle Rock, Calif)

Defensive Player of the Year
Kacie Bayreuther, Bay Path (So, L - East Lyme, Conn.)

Rookie of the Year
Amanda Garcia, Mitchell (Fr., M - New Britain, Conn.)

Coach of the Year
Josh Stokes, Southern Vt.

Team Sportsmanship Award
Bay Path College

First Team
Jessica Alvarez, Southern Vt. (Sr, OH - Eagle Rock, Calif)
Kacie Bayreuther, Bay Path (So, L - East Lyme, Conn.)
Chelsey Crawford, Daniel Webster (Sr., MB - Westfield, Mass.)
Sydney Fish, Newbury (So., MH - Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Sara Gold, Regis (Jr., DS - North Hollywood, Calif.)
Danielle Healis, Southern Vt. (Sr., MH - Escondido, Calif.)

Second Team
Carrie Baltazar, Southern Vt. (Jr., S - Whittier, Calif.)
Jennifer Finneran, Daniel Webster (Sr., MB - Barnstead, N.H.)
Vanessa Noesi, Regis (Jr., MH - Puerta Plata, D.R.)
JC Pickett, Elms (So. MH - Chicopee, Mass.)
Arianna Thomas, Mitchell (Sr. OH/L - Fresno, Calif.)
Ashily Veliz, Southern Vt. (Sr. OH - Los Angeles, Calif.)

Honorable Mention
Samantha Hill, Daniel Webster (Sr. OH - Hudson, N.H.)
Megan Ortwein, Lesley (Sr., OH - Shanghai, China)
Nicole Terni, Mitchell (Jr. S - Montville, Conn.)
Jessy Touron, Newbury (Jr. OH - Brockton, Mass.)
Sarah Young, Newbury (Sr. S - Waterloo, N.Y.)