Junior captain
Julie Hershkowitz (Scottsdale, Ariz., Seton Catholic), freshman outside hitter
Courtney Johnk (Larkspur, Calif., Redwood) and senior captain
Megan Kaminskas (Flagstaff, Ariz., Flagstaff) earned 2009 Big South honors the conference announced at an awards ceremony Wednesday night in Radford, Va.
“I am very proud of all three girls,” said head coach Jason Oliver. “They all worked extremely hard and were an important part of our success this season.”
Hershkowitz was named to the All-Conference second team after averaging 5.24 digs per set in conference games to lead the Big South. Hershkowitz also set HPU records for digs in a season (604) digs per set in a season (5.21) and career digs with (1,703). Her 5.21 digs per set is also the 18th best mark in the country this season. Hershkowitz was a two-time Big South Defensive Player of the Week this season and set a career-high with 48 digs in a 3-2 win over UNC Greensboro on Sept. 14. She was named to the UNC Greensboro All-Tournament team and named the tournament's Most Oustanding Libero.
“Julie has had a very special year,” Oliver said. “Her position near the top of the conference statistically is a testament to her focus and her desire to be the best player on the team.”
Johnk was named to the All-Freshman team after working her way in to the starting rotation in the middle of the season. She averaged 2.42 kills per set, the third-best mark on the team, and hit .172. She also put up five solo blocks and 29 block assist for the season. The Larkspur, Calif. native posted a career-high 19 kills in HPU’s 3-1 win over Liberty on Oct. 13 and had a career-high six blocks against Winthrop on Oct. 23.
“Courtney improved steadily all season long and it really shows in her play of late,” Oliver said. “We needed her to be an all-conference type player for our team to succeed and she has done that for us.”
Senior middle blocker Megan Kaminskas earned a spot on the All-Academic team. The Elementary Education major averaged 1.05 blocks per set in Big South games, good for second in the conference. The Flagstaff, Ariz. averaged 1.44 kills per set with 101 total blocks for the season. She also contributed 17 service aces.
“Megan is a special person,” Oliver said. “She has done everything we have asked of her this season and done it unbelievably well. It says a lot about her as a person to be as active as she is in the community, work hard for the team and get good grades.”
The Panthers (17-16, 6-10 Big South) earned the fifth-seed in the Big South Championship and will face the fourth-seeded Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (17-13, 10-6 Big South) Thursday at 5 p.m. in the quarterfinals.
First Team All-Conference
Kelley Taylor, Winthrop
Raquel Miotto, UNC Asheville
Chelaine McCarty, Liberty
Amanda Hill, Charleston Southern
Lauren Ficker, UNC Asheville
Chelsey Kimes, Coastal Carolina
Kelsey Benorden, UNC Asheville
Second Team All-Conference
Nicki Scripko, Liberty
Kaley Viola, Winthrop
Kallie Corbin, Liberty
Megan Bickford, Coastal Carolina
Julie Hershkowitz, High Point
Laura Wilcox, Gardner-Webb
Karyl Bacon, Liberty
All-Freshman Team
Sierra Livesay, Coastal Carolina
Loren Thomas, Liberty
Molly Rhyne, Gardner-Webb
Courtney Johnk, High Point
Presley Mabrey, Presbyterian
Desiree Aramburu, Radford
Allison Brown, Presbyterian
All-Academic Team
Jill Nyhof, Coastal Carolina
Nichole Diller, Charleston Southern
Chelaine McCarty, Liberty
Evan Moffitt, Gardner-Webb
Ashley Dunlap, Presbyterian
Laura Waddell, Radford
Megan Kaminiskas, High Point
Kelley Taylor, Winthrop
Bridgett Holiday, UNC Asheville
Player of the Year
Kelley Taylor, Winthrop
Freshman of the Year
Sierra Livesay, Coastal Carolina
Coach of the Year
Julie Torbett, UNC Asheville
Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Jill Nyhof, Coastal Carolina