GNAC Announces Volleyball All-Conference, A-Rod Earns Sportsmanship Selection
BOSTON, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has announced the 2013 All-GNAC Women's Volleyball Teams and major awards following the completion of this weekend's championship in which Rivier University claimed the title following a 3-1 victory over Emmanuel College.
Anna Maria senior outside hitter Alexandra Rodriguez (Puerto Rico) received All-Conference Sportsmanship Team recognition.
Rivier University senior middle hitter Nicole Peacock (Warwick, R.I.) has been named the GNAC Player of the Year to keep the award with a Rivier player for the third straight year. Peacock dominated the action all season long, ranking second in the conference in kills (346) and kills/set (3.20). The senior collected 10 or more kills in 19 matches including a season-high of 20 winners on Oct. 8 vs. the Suffolk University. The Warwick, R.I. was also had a strong blocking, passing and service game, recording a 76 digs, 72 total blocks and 27 aces over 108 sets played. Peacock also led the GNAC with a .335 hitting percentage. The outside hitter recorded a total of 422 points which was first in the GNAC.
Johnson & Wales University senior libero Giselle Cram (Vega Alta, Puerto Rico) has been named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The senior finished her campaign with an incredible 553 digs, which ranks eighth-most in GNAC history for digs in a single season. Cram-Ortiz averaged 5.22 digs per set, besting the conference by almost a full dig per set. The libero posted 10 or more digs in 28 matches including 13 matches with 20 or more digs and a season-high of 30 digs on Sept. 14 vs. University of New England.
Emmanuel College freshman outside hitter Cassie Chruscielski (Duluth, Minn.) has been named the GNAC Rookie of the Year following an outstanding rookie campaign. Chruscielski, who was also named the GNAC All-Tournament Team, led the Saints to the GNAC Championship as the team's top hitting option. The outside hitter averaged 2.50 kills per set to ranks ninth in the GNAC, posting 297 kills total which was the fourth-most in the conference among all players and first among rookies. The Duluth, Minn. native was very consistent through her first season, posting 10 or more kills in all 13 matches to go along with 10 matches of 10 or more digs. Chruscielski finished the year with 60 total aces to rank second the GNAC.
Emmanuel College head coach Denitra Seals has been named the GNAC Coach of the Year after leading the Saints to a 23-13 overall record including a 10-1 mark in GNAC action and an appearance in the GNAC Championship. The Saints, who were picked to finish fifth in the 2013 pre-season coaches' poll, enjoyed a nice turnaround from a year ago in which they ended the season 14-18. This honor marks the first time Seals has been named the GNAC Coach of the Year. Her squad will continue its season in this week's ECAC Tournament as the No. 6 seed.
The University of Saint Joseph (CT) Women's Volleyball team was honored with the GNAC Team Sportsmanship Award as voted on by their league peers.
2013 GNAC Women's Volleyball All-Conference Team
