The play of freshman middle hitter Nicole Murray (3) has taken widespread notice around the MEC. Sophomore outside hitter Cambriea Hill (21) has made life difficult for opposing teams throughout the season with her powerful spikes and knowledge of the game. (Photo Courtesy of Shepherd University's Athletics Department).

Shepherd women’s volleyball comes away with three All-MEC awards

Sophomore outside hitter Cambriea Hill, sophomore setter Jessica Karz, and freshman middle hitter Nicole Murray of the Shepherd Rams women’s volleyball team were all awarded with All-MEC awards Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 15. 

Hill and Karcz were voted on by coaches of teams in the league to be on the All-MEC First Team. Murray was selected to be on the MEC All-Freshman Team. 

One does not have to look closely at the statistics to see why Hill was placed on the All-MEC first team, as Hill has had as good of an all-around performance as any other Ram. Hill has been a deadly punisher when it comes to kills, as she has the team lead in kills (349) and kills per set (3.20). The 349 kills Hill has this season has been good enough for her to be placed seventh in the MEC in this category this season.  

Showing extra effort has also been a plus for Hill, as her 343 digs are second on the team. She has gone to great lengths to keep the ball in play for the Rams. 

Hill has also been able to put the ball in open holes in opposing defenses, as her 34 aces are also the second-highest total for the Rams this season. It has also been tremendously difficult for opponents to get their kill attempts by Hill this season, as she has totaled 39 blocks on the season, putting her in fourth place on the Rams in this category. 

Karcz has been a great distributor for the Rams this season, as her 988 assists are first on the team and fifth in the MEC. She also averages 9.5 assists per set, which is again the best on the team. Opposing teams have had great difficulty keying in on Karcz’ excellent passing strategy. 

On the season, Karcz is first on the Rams and third in the MEC with her 39 aces. She also averages 0.38 aces per set to lead the Rams. Karcz has dived to keep numerous balls in play for Shepherd this season, as her 312 digs and 3.00 digs per set have placed her in third place on the team in these categories. 

Murray has earned high praise around the MEC early on in her career at Shepherd. By displaying great timing and ability, Murray has been able to register 113 blocks (18 solo) to put her in third place in the entire MEC as just a freshman. 

To put this idea in proper perspective, the next closest Ram in total blocks is senior middle hitter Christine Jackson – who has 82 combined blocks on the season, showing just how impressive Murray has been as a freshman.  

Generating kills has also been another strong dimension of Murray’s game, as her 86 kills puts her in sixth place on the team this season.  

All three of these players will have chances to add to their already historic careers, as this trio will be playing together for two more seasons. 

Anthony Bracken is the Sports Editor of The Picket. He can be reached at abrack02@rams.shepherd.edu  

 

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