Spagle, Neely, Athwal and Massa honored by CCAA
Pioneer head coach Jim Spagle was named CCAA Coach of the Year after completing his 14th 20-win season. (Photo: Ron Allen)
- November 18, 2010
The California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) honored Cal State East Bay volleyball head coach Jim Spagle as the Coach of the Year and named three Pioneer players to the All-Conference Teams on Thursday following a 2010 campaign in which East Bay finished in a tie for second place in the conference. Roxanne Neely collected First-Team All-CCAA honors, while Jit Athwal and Lauren Massa both earned spots on the second team for their efforts for the Pioneers, who posted a 20-7 overall record and a 15-7 mark in conference play this year.
"Being named CCAA Coach of the Year is a true testament to the strength of our team," Spagle said. "A number of players stepped up and did a tremendous job during conference play. Our goal was to finish in the top four in the CCAA. Finishing in a second place tie is a tremendous accomplishment. I’m really proud of this team."
In his 15th year at the helm, Spagle guided the Pioneers to a tie for second place in the CCAA just one season after finishing seventh in the conference. Under Spagle’s watch in 2010, East Bay captured the Nanook Classic Tournament title, earned a spot in the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll for the first time in program history, defeated three nationally ranked teams and was the only team to defeat CCAA champion Cal State San Bernardino. The Pioneers’ 20 victories this year give Spagle 14 20-win seasons at East Bay and a 380-118 overall record, the best in program history.
A senior outside hitter, Neely was twice selected CCAA Player of the Week this season. The Lancaster native excelled in CCAA play with 156 kills, a .274 hitting percentage, 341 assists and 160 digs. She was fifth in the conference with 28 service aces. Neely recorded three triple-doubles (kills-assists-digs) during CCAA play and posted a season-high 16 kills in the Pioneers five-set victory over league champion Cal State San Bernardino. Neely also collected Tri-City Voice September Athlete of the Month honors this season.
"When Roxanne Neely was on her game, she was as good as any athlete in the CCAA," Spagle said. "Roxy carried us in some tough conference matches."
A senior libero, Massa was second in the CCAA with 4.77 digs per set. She had 20 or more digs in 11 conference matches including a season-best 34 versus UC San Diego. The Loveland, Colo., native also earned Nanook Classic MVP honors and Pioneer Bookstore Athlete of the Month honors for September.
"In my opinion, I felt that Lauren was the MVP of this team," Spagle said. "She was a rock on defense and passed well all season."
A senior outside hitter, Athwal was second on the Pioneers in conference play with 214 kills and fourth in digs with 128. She recorded 10 or more kills in 13 CCAA matches including 16 against Cal State Monterey Bay and 15 versus both Cal State San Bernardino and Sonoma State.
"Jit proved a presence on the court," Spagle said. "She worked hard to have a good season and ending up having a great campaign."
Junior middle blocker Samantha Middleborn, who helped Cal State San Bernardino to a 25-2 overall record, including a 21-1 conference mark, became the sixth Coyotes player to earn Most Valuable Player of the Year honors and third in the last four years. Chico State outside hitter Alex Shurtz was named Freshman of the Year, while freshman Denise DeVine of Cal State Dominguez Hills was selected Newcomer of the Year.