Women's Volleyball Honored at Conference Tourney
November 15, 2004
The Bryan College Volleyball Team was honored Saturday night at the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament 's awards ceremony, receiving the AAC Champions of Character award for the 2004 season.
The award, selected by conference coaches, is awarded to the team that best exemplifies the NAIA's five key principles of sportsmanship, integrity, respect, servant leadership, and responsibility. The team was presented the award during the tournament awards ceremony after the tournament championship.
At the awards ceremony, Bryan athletes received several individual honors as well. Randi Mellon was voted to the All-Conference team again this season. Bryan College also was second only to King College in the number of AAC Scholar Athlete Awards. Randi Mellon, Rebecca Rusch, Catherine Strode, and Christine Pratt all received the Scholar-Athlete Award. All are also nominated for the NAIA Scholar-Athlete award, to be determined later this fall.
Coach Sayles commented, "I am very excited to receive the Champions of Character award. If anything best represents the type of program we are building at Bryan, this award would be it. I have received so many comments from officials, coaches, and parents of opponents about the positive attitude, respect, and sportsmanship of these players.
"When we began our season and set our goals, I told the team that we should be in the running for this award every season, because it shows us whether or not we are making a positive impact on others in our play. What is even more meaningful to me is that the two schools I received the most positive feedback from are the two non-Christian schools in our conference. We can know that this year's team truly represented Christ in all that they have done this year, and have left a benchmark for every future BC volleyball team to reach for. We ARE making a difference, and we will continue to build a first-class program. I am humbled and feel honored to have coached this wonderful group of athletes."
Bryan College completed its season over the weekend at the conference tournament, held at King College. The Lady Lions lost to eventual tournament runners-up, UVa-Wise in three, 30-10, 30-25, 30-20.
Abby Humphrey had 11 kills and Randi Mellon completed her career at Bryan with 25 assists and 7 digs.
King College won the AAC Tournament.