COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- For the fourth time in three seasons, a Tennessee Tech volleyball player has been named to the Ohio Valley Conference all-Newcomer Team. Freshman Ellen Conti received the nod this season as the league’s post-season teams were announced today.

Conti joins current Golden Eagles Kelsey Gray, Natalie Penrod and Allison May who have all been named to the all-Newcomer Team during the previous two seasons.

“She obviously made a big impression on people throughout the season and she is very deserving of this award,” head coach John Blair said. “Ellen is the kind of player you want on your team and it’s always great to see a good things happen to players like that.”

Voting for the all-OVC teams was done by the head coaches and sports information directors from around the conference.

The OVC released is postseason all-conference teams Wednesday, with the Grove City, Ohio native as one of the seven newcomers honored.

Conti finished her first season at Tech second on the team in kills with 248, including a career-high 21 against SIU Edwardsville. She was also one of six Golden Eagles to play in at least 100 sets, while starting in 10 matches.

Tennessee State’s Shaquita Williams earned the OVC Player of the Year award, while UT Martin’s Kasey Elswick received the Defensive Player of the Year award, while her coach, Darrin McClure was named the OVC Coach of the Year. Morehead State’s Laura McDermott was named the OVC Freshman of the Year.

ALL-OVC

Player, School Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown

Shaquita Williams, Tennessee State* MB Sr. 6’0 Huntsville, Ala.

Ellie Roberson, Morehead State OH Jr. 6’2 Louisville, Ky.

Kasey Elswick, UT Martin* DS Jr. 5’7 Louisville, Ky.

Nikki Doyle, Austin Peay* OH Jr. 5’11 Santa Monica, Calif.

Emma Keough, Morehead State MB R-Sr. 5’11 Batavia, Ohio

Caitlin Clark, Morehead State S Jr. 5’9 Edgewood, Ky.

Terakka Walker, Tennessee State OPP Sr. 5’10 Columbus, Ga.

Emily Coon, Southeast Missouri MB So. 6’2 Imperial, Mo.

Liza Senenkova, Jacksonville State MB Sr. 6’3 Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Stephanie Koontz, Jacksonville State MB/OH Sr. 5’10 Edwardsburg, Mich.

Paige Economos, Austin Peay L Sr. 5’8 Crystal Lake, Ill.

Ashley Edmond, Eastern Kentucky OH So. 6’0 Michigan City, Ind.

Erika Moss, Tennessee State S So. 5’9 Fort Wayne, Ind.

Ashley Doherty, UT Martin MB Sr. 5’11 Crystal Lake, Il.

OVC Player of the Year: Shaquita Williams, Tennessee State

OVC Freshman of the Year: Laura McDermott, Morehead State

OVC Defensive Player of the Year: Kasey Elswick, UT Martin

OVC Coach of the Year: Darrin McClure, UT Martin

ALL-NEWCOMER

Player, School Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown

Laura McDermott, Morehead State MB R-Fr. 6’1 Westfi eld Center, Ohio

Cami Fields, Austin Peay S Fr. 5’7 Dallas, Texas

Hannah Burkle, Eastern Kentucky MB Fr. 6’2 Crystal Lake, Ill.

Emily Keaton, UT Martin OH Fr. 6’1 St. Charles, Mo.

Abbey Cvelbar, Eastern Kentucky S Fr. 5’9 Euclid, Ohio

Ellen Conti, Tennessee Tech OH Fr. 5’9 Grove City, Ohio

Hillary Plybon, Austin Peay MB Fr. 5’10 Orrville, Ohio