Photo by: Tim Cowie/DavidsonPhotos.com
Willis, Brady & Slusser Capture Major Awards; Five Earn All-Conference Honors
11/17/2022 3:00:00 PM | Volleyball
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Bella Brady repeated as the Atlantic 10's Libero of the Year, Emma Slusser is the conference's Rookie of the Year and head coach Chris Willis captured his second straight Co-Coach of the Year honor on Thursday, highlighting Davidson's record-setting 2022 season.
In addition to winning three of the five major awards, the Wildcats saw senior Anela Davis earn First Team All-Conference and All-Academic recognition, while Jackie Bardin and Kayla Davis were named to the All-Rookie squad.
Willis' repeat as Co-Coach of the Year comes on the heels of one of the best seasons in Davidson volleyball history. The St. Louis native led his 2022 squad to its first 20-win season in two decades, while going 20-9 overall and 14-4 in conference play for the Wildcats' most conference wins ever in the A-10 and most league victories since 2002.
Brady, the league's Libero of the Year for the second time in as many seasons, was also named to the First Team after ranking first in the A-10 in digs per set (5.24) and second in total digs (534). The junior captain eclipsed the 1,000th dig mark earlier this season, during the program's first-ever win over Dayton, and is now at 1,292 career digs, cracking into the program's top-10 all-time list.
A native of Cottage Grove, Minn., Slusser earned Rookie of the Year honors along with an All-Rookie selection after being one of the Wildcats' go-to options on the right side. The freshman averaged 2.48 kills per set, hitting .275 overall and winning three Rookie of the Week honors. Most recently, Slusser received the league's weekly honor after swinging a monstrous .552 attacking percentage in a five-set weekend against George Mason. The right side picked up 20 kills on 29 swings, including an unstoppable 11 kills on 13 swings (.769) in the second match of the weekend.
As a senior, Anela Davis will go down as one of the best middle blockers in program history, currently ranking second and third in the country, respectively, in blocks per set (1.59) and total blocks (149). Davis' 149 total blocks sits fifth all-time in program history in single-season blocks, while her 63 career solo blocks is also good for sixth all-time in the program's record book.
Bardin and Kayla Davis rounded out the Wildcats' postseason honors on the All-Rookie Team, as Bardin was second on the team in kills per set (2.59) and Davis started in all 29 matches, hitting a team-best .335 from the middle. On the outside, Bardin totaled 236 kills in her rookie year, while Davis produced 133 kills and was second on the team in total blocks (80.0).
To keep up with Davidson volleyball at the Atlantic 10 Championship, visit @DavidsonVB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
In addition to winning three of the five major awards, the Wildcats saw senior Anela Davis earn First Team All-Conference and All-Academic recognition, while Jackie Bardin and Kayla Davis were named to the All-Rookie squad.
Willis' repeat as Co-Coach of the Year comes on the heels of one of the best seasons in Davidson volleyball history. The St. Louis native led his 2022 squad to its first 20-win season in two decades, while going 20-9 overall and 14-4 in conference play for the Wildcats' most conference wins ever in the A-10 and most league victories since 2002.
Brady, the league's Libero of the Year for the second time in as many seasons, was also named to the First Team after ranking first in the A-10 in digs per set (5.24) and second in total digs (534). The junior captain eclipsed the 1,000th dig mark earlier this season, during the program's first-ever win over Dayton, and is now at 1,292 career digs, cracking into the program's top-10 all-time list.
A native of Cottage Grove, Minn., Slusser earned Rookie of the Year honors along with an All-Rookie selection after being one of the Wildcats' go-to options on the right side. The freshman averaged 2.48 kills per set, hitting .275 overall and winning three Rookie of the Week honors. Most recently, Slusser received the league's weekly honor after swinging a monstrous .552 attacking percentage in a five-set weekend against George Mason. The right side picked up 20 kills on 29 swings, including an unstoppable 11 kills on 13 swings (.769) in the second match of the weekend.
As a senior, Anela Davis will go down as one of the best middle blockers in program history, currently ranking second and third in the country, respectively, in blocks per set (1.59) and total blocks (149). Davis' 149 total blocks sits fifth all-time in program history in single-season blocks, while her 63 career solo blocks is also good for sixth all-time in the program's record book.
Bardin and Kayla Davis rounded out the Wildcats' postseason honors on the All-Rookie Team, as Bardin was second on the team in kills per set (2.59) and Davis started in all 29 matches, hitting a team-best .335 from the middle. On the outside, Bardin totaled 236 kills in her rookie year, while Davis produced 133 kills and was second on the team in total blocks (80.0).
To keep up with Davidson volleyball at the Atlantic 10 Championship, visit @DavidsonVB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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