Season Review

· The 2009 volleyball team at Bryan College enjoyed unprecedented success this fall, advancing to the Final Four at the NCCAA National tournament before being defeated by eventual champion Campbellsville University. The team finished with a 31-17 record, second only to the 1982 NCCAA district champion team, which finished with 32 wins. The team finished conference play with a 15-1 record, securing the regular season championship (first in Bryan history), which it shared with Union College.

· The Lady Lions played their toughest schedule since 2007, traveling throughout the southeast to compete against the best teams they could schedule. The team opened with a scrimmage against eventual NAIA Final Four Lee University, then competed against Top 35 teams SCAD, Lindenwood, Mount Vernon Nazarene, Walsh, Indiana East, Marion College and perennial Top Ten team Columbia College in tournaments throughout the season. Bryan traveled to Missouri, Ohio, and Florida for non-conference at post-season matches, completing an extensive 48-match schedule.

· The Lions began the season virtually tied with Union as the preseason favorite for the conference crown, and remained in a tight race throughout the season. The two remained atop the conference rankings all season, and traded places in receiving votes for the NAIA Top 35 throughout the season.

· Statistically, the Lions had an incredible season defensively, setting school records for blocks in a set, blocks in a match, and total blocks for the season. The team was ranked second in the NAIA in total blocks and tenth overall for blocks per game. The team finished ranked #8 in total digs and number #10 for total kills as well.

· In the Appalachian Conference, the team led in Blocks per set, was second behind Union in every offensive category, and was fourth in Digs per set, despite playing the toughest schedule of any conference team.

· The Lions were also ranked in the NCCAA Top Ten for their fourth straight season, finishing the regular season as the #6 seed and receiving an at-large bid to the national tournament. The team was ranked #2 in the nation in blocks per set, #10 in kills and hitting percentage, and #14 in assists and digs.

· The team was a perfect 10-0 in home matches this season.

· The Lions enjoyed a tremendous post-season with an 8-4 record. The season was capped by an intense 5-set victory over King College in their final pool play match at nationals, with a berth in the Final Four at stake. The victory was the first over King in the last 16 matches, a stretch of 6 seasons.

· Academically, the Lady Lions received two awards for their team GPA during the 2008-09 season; the AVCA Academic Team Award and the NAIA Scholar Team Award. The team maintained a 3.3 grade point average during the Fall semester 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 First Team- Amber Smith

AVCA/NCCAA All American First Team- 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

· In 6 seasons, Coach Sayles' record at Bryan is 131-95. The program has had an impressive 4-year run, amassing a 109-55 record (60-10 conference), with a 39-7 record at home. The team is 17-13 in post-season play since 2006, with 2 NCCAA National tournament appearances, an NCCAA Final Four finish in 2009, a Regular Season Conference Championship, two AAC post-season tournament Runner-Up finishes, 1 Regional Championship Finals appearance, and two regular season runner-up finishes.