Marshall University Athletics
Allie Kellerman Named Conference USA Libero of the Year
11/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
IRVING, Texas - Marshall volleyball senior Allie Kellerman has been named the 2016 Conference USA Libero of the Year, as selected by a vote of the league's 13 head coaches.
The Louisville, Ky., native earns the Thundering Herd's first C-USA individual award since 2007, and becomes the first Libero of the Year. Previous individual winners were Kelly-Anne Billingy (Player of the Year; 2005-07), Katie Stein (Setter of the Year; 2005) and Elizabeth Fleming (Freshman of the Year; 2007).
"There are many reasons why this season has been a special one," head coach Mitch Jacobs said. "Allie is definitely one of the biggest reasons. To go from a non-vote getter in 2015 to being named First Team All-Conference and now the Libero of the Year just speaks volumes for her work ethic. But it didn't start last spring, her development began her freshman year when she was willing to be wide open to being coached. The way she allowed Dorothy Rahal, a great libero herself, to take her under her wing and study how Dorothy would prepare for matches."
Kellerman was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week four times this season. The senior ranks second in C-USA for total digs with 482 and is third for digs per set with 4.50. She is second in league matches with 233 digs. Kellerman had a season-high and fourth most digs among C-USA in a single match when she recorded 31 in a five-set victory over Charlotte (Nov. 6). She finished the regular season with at least 10 digs in 24 matches, including 11 in C-USA action. Kellerman added a team-high 29 aces.
In her career, Kellerman ranks third all-time for digs with 1,656, only six digs shy of Dorothy Rahal (2010-13) in second place. She is third all-time in digs per set with 3.66. Kellerman holds three spots in the top 10 for digs in a single season, including this season with 482, good for sixth. She holds the top spot with 555 digs as a junior and ninth with 450 as a sophomore. Kellerman has also been a threat from the service line as she ranks eighth all-time in aces with 99.
"Allie has absolutely gotten the very best out of herself and in turn has given this team of so many young players another role model to emulate," Jacobs said. "I am so thrilled for her, she will be someone that teams from here on out will have to endure me telling stories about her desire to be her best. And she's not the only senior on this team that will live in my stories and lessons for many future teams to learn from."
Marshall begins the 2016 Conference USA Championship on Friday at 6 p.m. against the host Rice Owls. The Thundering Herd earned the third seed after finishing the season with a 22-7 overall record and 11-3 in conference play.
2016 CONFERENCE USA VOLLEYBALL INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Player of the Year
Alyssa Cavanaugh, WKU
Setter of the Year
Jessica Lucas, WKU
Libero of the Year
Allie Kellerman, Marshall
Freshman of the Year
Catherine Repsher, Southern Miss
Coach of the Year
Travis Hudson, WKU
For all the latest information about Marshall volleyball, follow @HerdVolleyball on Twitter and Marshall University Volleyball on Facebook.
