Marshall University Athletics
Billingy Wins MAC Freshman of the Year
11/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Billingy Wins MAC Freshman of the Year
11/18/2004
Kelly-Anne Billingy with her MAC Freshman of the Year plaque and All-MAC First Team Award following Thursday's banquet at Bowling Green photo by Matt Riley |
BOWLING GREEN, OHIO - The Mid-American Conference announced today that Marshall University freshman volleyball standout Kelly-Anne Billingy (Trincity, Trinidad) was named the MAC Freshman of the Year.
Billingy was presented with the award at the MAC Volleyball postseason awards banquet in Bowling Green prior to the start of the conference quarterfinals that begin at 11 a.m. Friday.
"It's a great accomplishment for Kelly to get this award and an honor for our team," Marshall head coach Mitch Jacobs said. "She had a very impressive season with outstanding numbers and was very deserving of this award."
The 6'3 outside hitter shattered Marshall records this season with her 631 kills. She broke the Herd's all-time single season kills record, formerly 502 held by Alisha Bable. Billingy also set the school high in a single match with 34 in her last match at Bowling Green. The 631 kills is second in the MAC to Northern Illinois' Tara Lobdell this season, and third all-time in MAC history. Nationally, she is fourth in the nation in total kills and eighth in kills per game (5.63/game).
Billingy ended the season with a .314 hitting percentage to lead the team. She also leads the team and the MAC in service aces with 58. Billingy is third on the Herd in blocks and fourth in digs.
Other accolades bestowed on Billingy this season include three MAC East Division Player of the Week awards, the Collegiate Volleyball Update National Player of the Week on Oct. 12 and all-tournament team honors at the Wake Forest and University of Wisconsin Invitationals.
Marshall now gets ready for the quarterfinals of the MAC tournament against host Bowling Green. Billingy led the Herd with 34 kills and a .319 hitting percentage along with three blocks, three aces and 11 digs against the Falcons last weekend to assure the Herd a first-round bye. Marshall is 20-10 overall and 11-5 in the MAC. The Herd and Falcons play at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at Anderson Arena in the second match of the day.
"Our team is very excited for Kelly to get this award and I'm sure she is too, but I know for sure that Kelly and the team are hoping the award they take home this weekend is the MAC championship."
