Averett University Volleyball: 2015 in review A Look Back At The Cougars' Season & USA South North Division Title Run
27-11 Overall RECORD & 17-2 MARK in THE USA South Conference
2015 in review
20 20-win seasons
Averett University head coach Danny Miller guided his team to another 20-win season in 2015, the Cougars' 20th 20-win season in his 21 years at the helm of the program.
The 2015 team's 17 wins in USA South Conference play matched a program record for conference victories in a single season.
adding Another championship
Averett won the USA South Conference's North Division for the second time in three seasons. It is the Cougars' 15th regular season championship in the program's storied history.
The Cougars clinched the North Division during the final weekend of conference play by knocking off William Peace University 3-0 and N.C. Wesleyan College 3-1 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Season highlights
11-match winning streak
Averett reeled off 11 consecutive wins toward the end of the season to help it clinch the USA South North Division. The streak began with a huge 3-1 win over defending conference champion Maryville College on Oct. 10. The final win during that stretch was a 3-1 victory over Virginia Wesleyan College, which was regionally ranked this season, on Nov. 1.
Facing top-ranked teams
Averett's schedule wasn't easy. The Cougars faced some of the top teams in the country throughout the season:
- No. 3 Christopher Newport University
- No. 4 Juniata College
- No. 7 Wittenberg University (eventual national runner-up)
Regionally ranked
Averett received a regional ranking toward the end of the season. The Cougars debuted at No. 8 in the regional rankings in late October and moved up to No. 7 on Nov. 5.
"We had a good season and maybe didn’t reach our full potential but considering our youth, I saw a lot of growth and believe we have a bright future." - Coach Danny Miller
Individual Honors & awards
Hannah shields
#3 | Outside Hitter
Sophomore | Keeling, Va.
2015 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention
2015 AVCA All-Region First Team
2015 USA South Conference Player of the Year
2015 USA South All-Conference First Team
2015 USA South Conference All-tournament Team
four-time USA South Conference Player of the Week
2015 Academic All-District
"Hannah is becoming an incredible player for us and continues to want to improve. She remains humble and never satisfied. that is what will driver her to be her best!" - Coach Danny Miller
712 kills
Highest total in the country in Division III
5.16 kills per set
Ranked second nationally
5.74 points per set
Ranked second nationally
Keenan Marks
#22 | Setter
Freshman | Jacksonville, N.C.
2015 USA South Conference Rookie of the Year
2015 USA South All-Conference First Team
Five-time USA South Conference Rookie of the Week
"Keenan came in as a freshman and developed quickly. She ran the offense effectively and was a big reason why we were successful." - Coach Danny Miller
Sarah Smoot
#7 | Outside Hitter
Sophomore | Randleman, N.c.
2015 USA South All-Conference Honorable Mention
2015 Academic All-District
"I don’t think Sarah gets the credit she deserves. She has the potential to take over a game and has in the past. I see Sarah getting better and better and continuing to help the team achieve." - Coach Danny Miller
Brittany Daley
#16 | Right Side
Junior | Harrisburg, N.C.
2015 USA South Conference All-Sportsmanship Team
"Brittany does a great job as a leader and accepting her role on the team. She has been a starter, a reserve and a Captain, and Not once has she ever not been this team’s biggest supporter. She believes in this team and will do what it takes to help the team." - Coach Danny Miller
2015 SENIOR CLASS
"This senior class has come a long way and made big contributions. Being able to win two championships is something that most players may not experience once in a career. We appreciate everything they have done for Averett Volleyball.” - Coach Danny Miller
(C) 2015 Averett University Athletics. Season review produced by the Averett Sports Information Department. Photos courtesy of David Conner II, Drew Wilson and Kevin Holley.