Rachel Harper tabbed second team All-SAC; Kristen Pickett Honorable Mention
November 21, 2013

Rachel Harper tabbed second team All-SAC; Kristen Pickett Honorable Mention

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Junior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) was selected to the All-South Atlantic Conference second team while junior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) was an honorable mention pick.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Junior outside hitter Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) was selected to the All-South Atlantic Conference second team while junior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.) was an honorable mention pick.

Harper finished third in the SAC in points (441), fourth in kills per set (3.59), fourth in kills (381) and fourth in service aces (36). The junior compiled 18 double-doubles including a double-double in eight of the final nine contests.

"It's a big honor," Harper said of the accolade. "I can't take any credit though. I think that it's a team effort and a coaching thing. I love the environment here and playing in it. If I do well, it's because of that, the coaches and my team."

The Chattanooga, Tenn. native had double-digit kills in 24 of 28 games including 20+ kills in four matches and double-digit digs in 20 of 28 contests including 15+ digs in seven matches.

Harper is the first Eagle to be honored since current assistant coach Nikki James was on the second team in 2011.

Pickett finished the season third in the conference with 1,033 assists and 9.48 assists per set while ranking fourth with 36 service aces. She notched a double-double eight times including two of the final three games of the year.

"It's a big honor especially with the outcome of our season," Pickett said about being recognized. "It wasn't what we hoped for. With that, it means a lot. I give a lot of credit to my team and without them, there is no way that I would be where I am."

The Cleveland, Tenn. native compiled at least 30 assists in 23 matches this season including more than 40 helpers nine times. On top of her duties as a setter, Pickett had multiple kills in 21 matches including 16 instances with three kills or more. 

The last time Carson-Newman had two players honored on All-Conference teams was 2010 when Carly Mozgai was pinned to the first team and James was on the second squad. 

2013 SAC Volleyball Awards 

All-SAC First Team

Anna Hilton, Wingate

Caitlyn Dean, Tusculum

Alison Cooker, Wingate

Haley Rhyne, Lenoir-Rhyne

Lexi Potter, Wingate

Shannon Gillespie, Anderson

Keri Kemp, Queens

Hailey Pittman, Anderson

 

All-SAC Second Team

Marissa Wixson, Mars Hill

Susie Murach, Wingate

Kassie Voelker, Tusculum

Samantha Parrish, Newberry

Maggie Murphy, Mars Hill

Kaitlyn Walton, Lincoln Memorial

Allison Rickher, Wingate

Rachel Harper, Carson-Newman

 

All-SAC Honorable Mention

Anny Gibbs, Queens

Megan Hasse, Tusculum

Jessica King, Newberry

Briana Gottberg, Lenoir-Rhyne

Toni Cole, Mars Hill

Kayla Morrow, Lenoir-Rhyne

Kristen Pickett, Carson-Newman

Casey Mense, Lincoln Memorial

Zazzy Oates, Lincoln Memorial

 

All-Freshman Team

Rachel Garnett, Tusculum

Abby Saehler, Wingate

Marykate Griffin, Mars Hill

Logan Hayward, Newberry

Meredith Jones, Queens

Abby Cash, Lincoln Memorial

 

Player of the Year: Anna Hilton, Wingate

Freshman of the Year: Rachel Garnett, Tusculum

Coach of the Year:  Shelton Collier, Wingate