AIKEN, S.C. - Augusta State's Jessica Howard was named the 2009 Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year at the PBC volleyball awards banquet in Aiken, S.C., site of the 2009 tournament.

Armstrong Atlantic State’s Kathrin Standhardinger was named Freshman of the Year and sister Kristin Standhardinger the Setter of the Year. Lander’s Ashley Ferry was named the Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year, while Flagler coach Taylor Mott the Coach of the Year.

Howard becomes the first Augusta State volleyball player to ever be named the Player of the Year. A senior from Athens, Ga., Howard moved into third place on the PBC’s all-time list with 1,783 career kills. In 2009 she led the PBC with 504 kills, a career-high, and in blocks with 134. She is third in the league in hitting percentage and had double-figure kills in 17 matches in a row heading into the PBC Tournament. Howard, who was also named to the 2009 all-conference team, was also a two-time Player of the Week selection.

The 14-member all-conference team is listed below, as selected by the league’s head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.

2009 Peach Belt Conference
Volleyball All-Conference Team
First Team
Katie Beale, Flagler
Justine Burkhardt, Flagler
Katy Handrick, Montevallo
Jessica Howard, Augusta State
Melissa McCracken, Lander
Kristin Standhardinger, Armstrong Atlantic State
Meg Weathersby, Flagler

Second Team
Shannon Byers, USC Aiken
Lauren Cedeno, USC Aiken
Ashley Ferry, LanderAnna Garrison, Montevallo
Casey Howett, Armstrong Atlantic State
Michele Remlinger, Armstrong Atlantic State
Kathrin Standhardinger, Armstrong Atlantic State
 
Setter of the Year: Kristin Standhardinger, AASU
Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year: Ashley Ferry, Lander
Player of the Year: Jessica Howard, Augusta State
Freshman of the Year: Kathrin Standhardinger, AASU
Coach of the Year: Taylor Mott, Flagler