C-N’s Rust, PC’s Bobbitt and Mitchell Named To Daktronics All-Region Volleyball Team

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - Carson-Newman senior outside hitter Jenna Rust and Presbyterian College's Donja Bobbitt and Lindsay Mitchell have been named to the 2003 Daktronics All-South Region second team announced today.

Members of the team are selected by a vote of the sports information directors of teams in the South Region.

Rust (Lindale, Texas) had 467 kills for the Lady Eagles in 2003 and led the team in digs with 569. She posted some very impressive numbers for her career as she had over 1,500 kills, 2,000 digs and 300 blocks. She was named the 2002 SAC Player of the Year and was named to the All-South Atlantic Conference team in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Rust was a four-time SAC Player of the Week selection.

The Carson-Newman Lady Eagles finished 2003 with a 25-11 overall record and 11-3 mark in the conference.

Bobbitt, a 5-10 junior from San Antonio, Tex., is a three-year letterwinner for the Blue Hose from her outside hitter position. The former Tom C. Clark High School standout led the team and the South Atlantic Conference in kills per game (4.15) and total kills (590) en route to 2003 honorable mention AVCA All-American, first team AVCA All-South Region, first team All-SAC, SAC All-Tournament honors. Both statistical categories are career-highs for Bobbitt. Her 590 kills this season ranks sixth-best in program single-season history. In addition, she is averaged 3.12 digs and 0.32 blocks per game and compiled a .280 hitting percentage.

Mitchell, a 6-0 senior from Chapin, S.C., is a four-year letterwinner for the Blue Hose from her middle hitter position. The former Chapin High School standout led the team and the South Atlantic Conference in hitting percentage (.419) for the third year in row en route to 2003 AVCA honorable mention All-South Region, SAC Player of the Year and first team All-SAC honors. In addition, she finished the regular season ranked eighth in NCAA Division II in hitting percentage and averaged 3.24 kills per game and 0.77 blocks per game. Mitchell and Bobbitt reached career milestones this year as both players became members of the program's 1,000-kill club. Mitchell finished her career with 1,286 career kills, good for 10th place in program history. Bobbitt will enter her senior year next fall with 1,225 career kills, good for 11th place.

The Blue Hose (34-5), under the direction of first-year head coach Ed Allen, won the 2003 SAC Regular Season Championship with a 13-1 mark and finished runner-up for the Food Lion/SAC Tournament Title.

2003 Daktronics Women's Volleyball All-South Region Teams
First Team
Gretchen Naruta (5-7, SR, S) - Tampa
Fernanda Ferreira (5-11, SR, MB) - Barry (Fla.)
Jackie Struck (6-0, JR, MB) - North Florida
Fernanda Brino (5-10, JR, OH) - Barry (Fla.)
Ania Ruiz (5-11, JR, OH) - Tampa
Courtney Veasey (5-4, JR, Lib.) - Florida Southern
Second Team
Valerie Martinez (5-9, JR, S) - North Florida
Jenni Holste (6-1, SR, MB) - Florida Southern
Lindsay Mitchell (6-0, SR, MB) - Presbyterian
Donja Bobbitt (5-10, JR, OH) - Presbyterian
Jenna Rust (5-9, SR, OH) - Carson Newman
Stephanie Rivera (6-0, SO, OH) - Tampa