2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference & All-Academic Teams Announced

ATLANTA, Georgia — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announces the 2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference team as voted by the SIAC Volleyball Coaches Association. The 2011 team is led by 2011 SIAC Player of the Year Jamila McKinnis of Stillman College, 2011 SIAC Offensive Player of the Year LaTayvia Mack of Benedict College, and 2011 SIAC Setter of the Year Kathrin Fischer of Claflin University.

McKinnis, a senior from Mobile, AL, leads the SIAC with 450 kills and finished with a .364 hitting percentage, which ranks second in the SIAC. In 32 matches, the 5-10 outside hitter averaged 3.88 kills per set, which ranks second in the SIAC, while totaling 294 digs and 55 service aces, putting her among the conference leaders in both categories. The All-SIAC first team selection also totaled 334 assists and 59 total blocks. McKinnis finishes her career as a two-time SIAC Player of the Year, earning the honor as a sophomore in 2009, and a four-time All-SIAC selection.

 Jamila McKinnis
Stillman College

Mack, a junior from Holly Hill, SC, leads the SIAC with 4.67 kills per set, totaling 308 kills in 66 sets, which ranks sixth nationally. The 6-1 outside hitter also ranks third in the SIAC with a .342 hitting percentage while totaling 21 service aces, 74 digs, and 18 total blocks. The All-SIAC first team selection also currently ranks sixth in Division II averaging 5.20 points per set.

Fischer, a sophomore from Vienna, Austria, leads the SIAC in assists and ranks second in assists per set. The All-SIAC first team setter also leads the conference in service aces and currently leads Division II in aces per set.

Joining the three aforementioned players on the first team include Claflin University sophomore Lauren Calvin, Clark Atlanta University junior Ashley Brooks, Paine College junior Victoria Claytor, and Stillman College senior Christine Mallory.

Kathrin Fischer
Claflin University

Kentucky State University and Claflin University are tied for the most selections with three. The Thorobrettes’ selections include All-SIAC second teamer Audrey Sherles, who was also named 2011 SIAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Claflin University Head Coach Vernell Keitt-Capers was named 2011 SIAC Coach of the Year. In 2011, Keitt-Capers, who was Co-Coach of the Year last season, led the Lady Panthers to a 13-3 record in the SIAC, 26-7 overall, and their second SIAC East Division title in as many years.

McKinnis and Stillman College lead the SIAC Volleyball All-Academic team. McKinnis, a Biology major, led the way with a 4.0 grade point average while the Lady Tigers had four selections on the team and also claimed the all-academic team award.

2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference Team
1st Team
Name Class Position Institution
LaTayvia Mack Junior Outside Hitter Benedict College
Lauren Calvin Sophomore Outside Hitter Claflin University
Ashley Brooks Junior Outside Hitter Clark Atlanta University
Victoria Claytor Junior Outside Hitter Paine College
Jamila McKinnis Senior Outside Hitter Stillman College
Christine Mallory Senior Libero Stillman College
Kathrin Fischer Sophomore Setter Claflin University

2nd Team
Name Class Position Institution
Sabrina Garcia Senior Outside Hitter Albany State University
Faith Simmons Senior Outside Hitter Claflin University
Ayanna Parker Freshman Outside Hitter Kentucky State University
Audrey Sherles Freshman Outside Hitter Kentucky State University
Janae’ Kearse Senior Outside Hitter Paine College
Tyrealle Reed Senior Libero Benedict College
Jordan Foyer Freshman Setter Kentucky State University

Player of the Year: Jamila McKinnis, Stillman College
Offensive Player of the Year: LaTayvia Mack, Benedict College
Defensive Player of the Year: Audrey Sherles, Kentucky State University
Setter of the Year: Kathrin Fischer, Claflin University
Coach of the Year: Vernell Keitt-Capers, Claflin University

2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Academic Team
Name Class Major GPA Institution
Jamila McKinnis Senior Biology 4.00 Stillman College
Ebony Lollis Senior Biology 3.94 Stillman College
Cynteria Jones Junior English 3.92 Stillman College
Kathrin Fischer Sophomore Politics & Justice System 3.91 Claflin University
Christine Mallory Senior Education 3.82 Stillman College
Soncya Williams Sophomore Music 3.82 LeMoyne-Owen College
Jamila Winston Senior Accounting 3.79 Benedict College

All-Academic Team Award: Stillman College, 3.73 GPA

Courtesy of SIAC

Stillman volleyball downs Lemoyne Owen

TUSCALOOSA, AL - Stillman College defeated Lemoyne Owen in straight sets at the SIAC West Volleyball Cluster on Friday. Set scores were 25-20, 25-18, 25-17.

For Stillman (2-5), Jamila McKinnis had 12 kills, seven digs and six blocks while LaShaunda Spurgeon added five kills and five blocks. Chelsea Nix also had five blocks while Phyllice Eubanks added four blocks, four digs, four assists and three kills. Cynteria Jones also finished with three kills and a block.


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Stillman’s McKinnis earns SIAC honor

Jamila McKinnis, a junior outside hitter on the Stillman College volleyball team, was selected as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

McKinnis was named to the All-Tournament team after the Lady Tigers participated in the Christian Brothers Invitational in Memphis, Tenn. A two-time All-SIAC selection, McKinnis was chosen the league’s most valuable player after her sophomore season.

McKinnis recorded a .250 hitting percentage and had 43 kills in four tournament games. Stillman lost to Christian Brothers (3-0) and Cameron (3-0) on Friday. On Saturday, Stillman lost to Ouachita Baptist (3-1) and to Illinois Springfield (3-0). McKinnis had 12 kills, 12 digs and 10 assists against Ouachita Baptist. She posted 17 kills and 12 digs against Illinois-Springfield.

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Lady Rams volleyball lose SIAC opener to Clark Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA — Latrice Lewis led Albany State University with 22 kills and Sabrina Garcia added 14 more, but it was not enough as the Lady Rams volleyball team lost, 3-2, to the Clark Atlanta University Lady Panthers in their SIAC opener Wednesday night in Atlanta.

The Lady Rams dropped to 0-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. The Lady Rams won Game 1, 25-21, but dropped the next two games, 25-18, both times. The Lady Rams won Game 4, 25-20, but lost the final game, 15-10. Adrienne Morris led the Lady Rams’ defense with 25 digs, and Priscila Sena recorded 44 assists.

The Lady Rams will be in action on Friday against the Edward Waters Lady Tigers in Jacksonville, Fla.

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The ASU Lady Rams Volleyball team look to make history‎

In college volleyball the Lady Rams from ASU will try to make history this season going for their 10th straight conference title. The Rams are highlighted by their two preseason all-conference players Latrice Lewis and Precilla Sena.

Sabrina Garcia will also chip in to set up would could be a momentous year for the Lady Rams. Head coach Brian Skinner says for all their dreams to come true the younger players must step up and contribute. Skinner also says that this year's schedule has some teams that could spell trouble for the Rams

Skinner said ""You gotta play those team from the South region, you got Valdosta State on schedule this year once again. We have some very good division one schools in Alabama A&M and Alabama State on the schedule so we look forward to playing those schools and being competitive in the SIAC"

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ASU volleyball sets schedule, snags two SIAC preseason nods

ALBANY, GA — Nine-time defending SIAC champions. Has a nice ring to it, eh? Of course it does, only Albany State coach Robert Skinner thinks he knows another phrase that sounds even better: 10-time defending SIAC champs. No. 10 is what’s at stake as the Lady Rams get set to kick off their 2010 season, the schedule for which was released late last week.

But before any of the conference’s teams take the court, there was some housekeeping to handle Wednesday when the SIAC announced its 2010 Preseason All-SIAC Teams as ASU landed two players on that list: Seniors Latrice Lewis and Pricilla Sena. Surprised a team that’s nine-time defending champ only had two players named preseason all-conference — and on the Second Team, at that? Don’t be. Skinner wasn’t.

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