Young of Williams Earns Player of the Year

HARTFORD, Conn. - Williams junior outside hitter Robin Young was chosen by the conference coaches as both the 2003 NESCAC Volleyball Player of the Year and NESCAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year. The two-time NESCAC Player of the Week was second in the conference in digs per game (5.23) while ranking among the conference leaders in service aces per game (.70), hitting percentage (.312) and kills per game (3.35).

Young was joined on the first team by Williams teammate Joyia Chadwick. Chadwick, last year’s NESCAC Player of the Year and the 2001 Rookie of the Year, led the conference in blocks averaging 1.56 per game while averaging over four kills per game. Both juniors made their third consecutive appearances on the all-conference first team and have helped Williams to a 33-3 overall record and their third straight NESCAC Championship.

Bates senior outside hitter Liz Wanless, a four-time all-NESCAC selection, made her second consecutive appearance on the first team. Wanless, the 2000 NESCAC Rookie of the Year and the lone senior chosen to the first-team, led the conference kills per game (4.79) while recording a .330 hitting percentage.

Annie Hoeksma of Amherst made her second straight all-conference first team. The junior setter averaged 9.38 assists per game for the Jeffs. Last year’s NESCAC Rookie of the Year Caitlin Cleaver of Colby and Kelli Harrison of Tufts round out the first team selections. Harrison, a freshman outside hitter for the Jumbos, ranked among conference leaders in hitting percentage (.320) and kills per game (3.65). Cleaver, a sophomore outside hitter who ranked second in the league averaging 4.29 kills per game, led the Mules to an 8-2 conference mark.

Amherst freshman Kristin Quinn was named 2003 NESCAC Rookie of the Year. Quinn led the conference in hitting percentage (.420) and her 1.52 blocks per game ranked second in the conference.

Bates head coach Jen Bowman was honored as the NESCAC Coach of the Year. Bowman, in her fourth season at Bates, led the Bobcats to a 9-1 conference record and 26-9 mark overall.