By: by KSU Sports Information
KENNESAW, Ga. - A trio of Kennesaw State volleyball players received Atlantic Sun Conference honors for their work in the 2011 season. Senior Alyssa Lang was named First Team All-Conference, while senior Justine Young earned a Second Team All-Conference nod. Sophomore setter Sara Metroka was named to the A-Sun All-Academic Team.
Lang's work ethic and style of play earned her such great respect from the A-Sun's coaches that the Richmond, Va., native was one of three unanimous First Team selections. The senior finished the A-Sun's regular season ranked 10th in both conference kills per set and conference digs per set. She had a team-best 12 double-doubles on the season, with her latest coming in KSU's victory over Mercer last Saturday to clinch the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. Earlier this season, she recorded both her 1,000th career kill and 1,000th career dig. This award follows her 2010 Second Team All-Conference and A-Sun All-Tournament honors.
"Alyssa plays the sport of volleyball with a certain level of grace and flair," said coach Weatherington. "I'm very happy for Alyssa that she received this recognition from the rest of the coaches in the conference and that they recognize what a superb talent she is."
Young made a tremendous impact on the Owls and the A-Sun in her one year in a KSU uniform. The Sacramento, Calif., native has recorded over 400 kills this season, setting a new Kennesaw State record. An A-Sun Player of the Week honoree Oct. 31, Young had 10 or more kills in every A-Sun match this season. Her 28 kills against USC Upstate Oct. 28 were both a school record and a high for any A-Sun athlete in a four-set match this season.
"Justine changed positions for us when she arrived from middle blocker to outside hitter and made an immediate impact," said coach Weatherington. "She is a special talent, the likes of which we have never had before. I'm happy for her to receive recognition from the rest of the league's coaches."
Metroka was named to the conference's new A-Sun All-Academic Team. In addition to the yearly academic awards recognizing all student-athletes who have a grade point average of 3.0 or better, the A-Sun created the All-Academic Team award to recognize exceptional student-athletes who are both excellent in the classroom and on the court. The All-Academic Team is voted on by the sports information directors of the member institutions.
Metroka owns almost all of Kennesaw State's setting records. The sophomore has tallied over 2,000 assists in her two seasons with the Owls. This season, the New Castle, Ind., native became the first Kennesaw State setter to record over 1,000 assists in a season. She has done all of this while maintaining a 3.80 GPA.
"Sara is the catalyst of our offense," said coach Weatherington. "She is a tireless worker who shows tremendous leadership both on and off the court as a team captain. She works equally as hard in the classroom to better her academic standing. I am very pleased that the conference's SID's recognized her great all-around talents."
Lang, Young, Metroka and the rest of the Owls will be back in action this Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the A-Sun Championships. KSU will face East Tennessee State at 7:30 p.m. on the campus of Lipscomb in Nashville.
