May 1, 2009

Valles, Schwartz Headline ODAC Awards


VWC's Williams Top Rookie, WLU's Robinson Scholar-Athlete

SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke College midfielder Gina Valles and head coach Mary Schwartz added to the Maroons 2009 success as the pair headlines the women's lacrosse all-conference teams as the ODAC Player and Coach of the Year.  Roanoke earned a league-best six honors between the first and second teams including five selections to the first team.

Freshman Courtney Williams highlighted five first and second team honorees for Virginia Wesleyan College as she was named the 2009 ODAC Rookie of the Year.  Kelsi Robinson was among three Washington and Lee University first teamers, and she also garnered the ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete Award.

Valles enters the NCAA tournament as the ODAC's leader in overall points (91), points per game (4.79), overall goals scored (70) and goals per game (3.68).  Her 91 points are currently tied for ninth in the country, spearheading the nation's 14th ranked offense.  Valles scored at least one goal in each of Roanoke's 19 games this season, notching two or more goals in 18 of those contests.  She tallied at least four goals in 10 different games, going for a season-high seven goals in a regular season win over Washington and Lee.  Valles earned the ODAC Player of the Week award three times throughout the season.

Schwartz led the Maroons to a perfect 8-0 mark during the ODAC regular season (15-4 overall) and the top seed in the conference tournament.  Roanoke won both of its tournament games, securing its first ODAC title and automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament since 1999.  The championship was the 10th for the Maroons' program, tying Washington and Lee for the most in conference history.  It also marked the first crown for Schwartz.

Williams was the Marlins' fourth leading scorer in her first year at VWC.  She tallied 27 goals and handed out a pair of assists for 29 total points.  She scored at least one goal in all but two of the Marlins' 18 games played, posting a season-best five goals in an ODAC quarterfinal victory over Lynchburg College.

Robinson shined both on and off the field, boasting a 3.655 grade point average while double-majoring in Spanish and psychology.  A Washington and Lee and ODAC scholar, Robinson ranks second all-time at WLU with 99 career assists and is fourth with 202 career points.  A multiple All-ODAC First Team selection, Robinson leads the 2009 Generals with 17 assists to go with 21 goals for a team second-best 38 points.

Listed below are the 2009 All-ODAC Women's Lacrosse Teams.  For more information on ODAC women's lacrosse, visit any of the participating school's websites, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.

2009 ALL-ODAC WOMEN'S LACROSSE TEAMS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Gina Valles, Roanoke
COACH OF THE YEAR: Mary Schwartz, Roanoke
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Courtney Williams, Virginia Wesleyan
ODAC/FARM BUREAU SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: Kelsi Robinson, Washington and Lee

ALL-ODAC FIRST TEAM
Attack
Paige Mason, Roanoke
Britten Mathews, Washington and Lee
Laura Norris, Virginia Wesleyan

Midfield
Morgan Hutchinson, Randolph-Macon
Emmy Mathews, Washington and Lee
Kelsi Robinson, Washington and Lee
Aimee Sraver, Virginia Wesleyan
Gina Valles, Roanoke

Defense
Jennifer Abelin, Guilford
Carolyn Clark, Roanoke
Alida Haslett, Roanoke

Goalkeeper
Katlyn Scarlett, Roanoke

ALL-ODAC SECOND TEAM
Attack

Bethany Adomanis, Virginia Wesleyan
Erin Clare Cassidy, Randolph-Macon
Deanna Welsch, Lynchburg

Midfield
Colleen Evans, Washington and Lee
Carrie Ernst, Guilford
Stewart Hulfish, Sweet Briar
Morgan Logue, Lynchburg
Shelly Nogueira, Guilford
Cristen Sanfilippo, Roanoke

Defense
Anna Kate Collier, Virginia Wesleyan
Katie Reynolds, Lynchburg
Stephanie Serena, Randolph-Macon

Goalkeeper
Ashley Sippel, Virginia Wesleyan

ALL-ODAC HONORABLE MENTION
Attack

Katie Flippen, Washington and Lee
Meredith Freeman, Washington and Lee
Katie Ollice, Lynchburg

Midfield
Cait DiMondi, Hollins
Lindsay Gengras, Lynchburg
Logan Pomeroy, Randolph-Macon
Mary Robinson, Bridgewater
Stacey Trow, Virginia Wesleyan

Defense
Brooke Barham, Bridgewater
Sarah Held, Randolph-Macon
Amanda Werth, Lynchburg

Goalkeeper
Colleen Schwind, Bridgewater