CASTINE — Four Maine Maritime volleyball players were recognized when the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) released its All-Conference Team on Tuesday evening. Chelsea Ward (Homer, Alaska) was named to the All-NAC First Team, while Jennifer Dixon (Ellicott City, Md.) and Melissa Lail (Elizabeth, Colo.) were named to the Second Team. Sydney Robertson (Barnstead, N.H.) was named the NAC Rookie of the Year.

For Ward, the honor marks the third time in as many seasons she has been selected to the First Team. She led the league with 3.29 kills per set this season, a number that jumped to 3.74 per set in NAC play. Her .355 hitting percentage also topped the NAC.  The two-time NAC Player of the Year posted 2.42 digs per set in NAC play and 89 of her 241 points this season were scored against NAC opponents.

An All-NAC Second Team selection in 2009, Dixon returns to the mythical squad after averaging 7.39 assists per set this season, second in the league. Her 67 service aces ranked fifth in the league, while her ace per set led the NAC. Dixon was named the NAC Player of the Week on one occasion this season.

The 2010 Rookie of the Year, Lail lands on the Second Team having posted 354 points this season, which ranks fifth in the NAC. Her 0.79 service aces per set ranked third in the league, while her .249 hitting percentage ranked fifth.

Robertson becomes the fourth Mariner, and second in as many seasons, to win the NAC Rookie of the Year Award. Her 42 blocks and 0.53 blocks per set ranked fifth in the league. She was named the NAC Rookie of the Week twice this season.

The Mariners won 22 matches in 2011, tying the 2009 team for the program record for victories in a season. Maine Maritime defeated 18 opponents in straight sets this season as well. The Mariners will begin defense of their four consecutive NAC Championships Friday night against Maine-Farmington. The match will be played at top-seeded Colby-Sawyer College.

2011 Women's Volleyball All-Conference Teams

First Team
Ally Le-Bruno - So. - LB - Colby-Sawyer
Emilee McBride - So. - MH - Colby-Sawyer
Shannon Mitchell - Sr. - MB - Me.-Farmington
Courtney O'Hara - So. - OH - Colby-Sawyer
Hannah Olstad - Jr. - MH - Husson
Chelsea Ward - Sr. - OH - Maine Maritime

Second Team
Jennifer Dixon - Jr. - S - Maine Maritime
Maegan Fried - Jr. - OH - Lyndon
Melissa Lail - So. - MH - Maine Maritime
Kristin Sawyer - Sr. - S - Colby-Sawyer
Chelly Smith - Jr. - OH - Husson
Marina Tello - Fr. - LB - Me.-Farmington

Player of the Year
Hannah Olstad - Jr. - MH - Husson

Defensive Player of the Year
Ally Le-Bruno - So. - LB - Colby-Sawyer

Rookie of the Year
Sydney Robertson - Fr. - MH - Maine Maritime

Coach of the Year
Brett Sayer - Colby-Sawyer

Team Sportsmanship Award
Johnson State College

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