Greensboro College volleyball produced
another outstanding year in 2005. The Pride finished 29-7 and was 13-1
in USA South matches. GC was a USAS regular season co-champion, earned
two regional rankings, and won two tournaments (Greensboro and Averett).
GC also set a record as it started the year with 12 straight wins.
Leading the way for the green and
white was senior middle hitter Katie Smith. She led the league with
4.5 kills and 1.3 blocks per game. In the 2005 season, she earned USAS
player of the week honors five times and became the first Pride player
to earn AVCA national player of the week honors.
Smith was picked the player of the
year in the USA South Conference; was a first team all-region selection;
and a third team All America. An honorable mention All America last year,
Smith retires with numerous GC volleyball records, including career marks
for most kills (1853) and most blocks (599).
“Katie is the best volleyball player
to have played at Greensboro College—and we have had some great ones,”
said Pride Head Coach Jean Lojko. “God blessed her with height,
jumping ability, a cannon for a right arm, and a great passion for winning.”
Yet Smith was surrounded by talented
teammates. In all, GC had six USA South honors. Joining Katie Smith
on the first team were senior Sarah Davis and junior Lauren Smith.
Davis, who set a new setting record
with 11.69 assists per game, also earned CoSIDA District Academic Team
honors.
The Pride fell one game short of
the 2005 NCAA tournament. Before a raucous Hanes Gymnasium crowd, GC lost
to a resilient CNU team, 3-2. The defeat ended a record Hanes Gym 27-match
winning streak.
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