Bryan News

Wed, Dec 9, 2009 - [Volleyball]
Amber Smith
Amber Smith
Bryan College's Amber Smith, a senior MB from Pompano Beach, Florida, was recently named as an AVCA/NCCAA All-America First Team Selection. This final award tops a tremendous season for the four-year two-sport starter. Smith was also an AVCA/NAIA All-American Honorable Mention selection, made the AVCA All-Region first team, and was selected the AAC Player of the Year. Smith guided the Lions to the most wins in a single season (31), Bryan's first AAC Regular Season Championship, and their first appearance in the NCCAA National Championships Final Four, where she was named to the All-Tournament team as well. 

Smith stepped into some big shoes this season, replacing '08 grad Robin Renfroe (former NCCAA All-American) as the #1 MB, and eclipsed Renfroe's career with an outstanding senior year. Smith finished the season leading the NCCAA in blocks, and finished #6 in the NAIA in total blocks. She was named to the NCCAA Mid-East region team, the AAC All Conference First Team, and the AAC All-Tournament team. Throughout the season, Smith dominated in the middle, earning All Tournament awards in all four regular season tourneys (Milligan, Columbia-Best Western, MVNU-Papa Johns, and Asbury). She set two individual records for total blocks in a single match, total blocks in a set, and assisted blocks in a single match. Her career stats are still being tabulated, but unofficially Smith also set a new standard for blocks in a career. She emerged as one of the top three all-time hitters in Bryan history as well.

"Amber Smith realized her full potential this year, and carried this team to a remarkable finish. I have been honored to coach Amber, and see her develop into the complete player she is now. She is a wonderful example of Christian leadership in athletics for our campus community, and hopefully will have a terrific basketball season as well," said Bryan Head Coach Leo Sayles.

Not to be lost in the post-season awards, JR OH Alison Young was named to the NCCAA All-tourney team as well, and was also selected as a member of the NCCAA Mid-East Region First Team. She was named as an Honorable Mention on the AVCA-NAIA All Region team, after being selected to the AAC All Conference First Team. She was also selected as an AAC Scholar-Athlete and is an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete as well.

Overall, the 2009 Lady Lions' team received more individual honors than any team in Bryan volleyball history:

AAC Scholar-Athletes - Alison Young, Ashley Sours, Jessica Etress, Lauren Pratt, Amanda Manke, Caitlyn Fuller, Amber Smith, Jessica Jones, Chelsie Blackburn

NAIA Scholar-Athletes -Alison Young, Ashley Sours, Jessica Etress, Lauren Pratt, Amanda Manke

NCCAA Scholar-Athletes - Alison Young, Ashley Sours, Jessica Etress, Lauren Pratt, Amanda Manke, Caitlyn Fuller

NCCAA All American - Amber Smith

AVCA/NCCAA All American - Amber Smith

AVCA/NAIA All American Honorable Mention - Amber Smith

NCCAA National Tourney All-tournament Team - Amber Smith, Alison Young

AVCA/NAIA All Region First Team- Amber Smith

AVCA/NAIA All Region Honorable Mention - Alison Young

NCCAA Mid-East All-Region First Team - Amber Smith, Alison Young

AAC Player of the Year - Amber Smith

AAC All tourney Team - Amber Smith, Amanda Manke

AAC All Conference First Team - Amber Smith, Alison Young, Amanda Manke

AAC All-Freshman Team - Kaylan Dilts

Overall: 36 Post-season awards.