Nov. 21, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. - Junior outside hitter Rebecca Walter earned second team honors for the second straight year, while freshman outside hitter Noelle Fanella was selected to the All-Rookie Team, as the Colonial Athletic Association recognized two members of the George Mason women's volleyball team among its annual award winners on Friday evening in Boston, selected by a vote of the league's head coaches.

Walter, who earned the same honor a year ago, was named to the All-CAA second team after leading the Patriots and ranking third in the conference with 3.31 kills per set and 3.74 points per set. Totaling 311 kills, 187 digs, 40 blocks and 18 aces on the season, the Monbulk, Victoria, Australia native powered the Mason offense which ended its season on a three-match winning streak.

Walter ended the year with a career performance, recording seven total blocks while marking her eighth double-double of the year with 12 kills and 12 digs in the season finale against Georgia State. She was an All-Rookie selection her freshman season with the Patriots in 2006.

Freshman Noelle Fanella was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team.

Fanella had an outstanding debut season with the Patriots, ranking third on the squad with 163 kills and 195 digs while contributing 16 aces and 25 total blocks. Twice named the CAA's Rookie of the Week, the Bloomingdale, Ill., product earned her first double-double of the year with 11 kills and 10 digs against Charlotte, while slamming a season-high 15 kills in the five-set victory at James Madison.

Mason finished its season with a 9-18 record after recording three consecutive victories to close out the year, earning eighth place in the conference standings with a CAA mark of 5-9.

Northeastern senior outside hitter Lauren DeTurk was selected as the 2008 CAA Volleyball Player of the Year, while other top individual awards went to William & Mary's Kim Mount as the CAA Setter of the Year, Delaware's Stephanie Barry as CAA Defensive Specialist of the Year and Delaware's Kim Stewart as CAA Rookie of the Year. Northeastern's Ken Nichols and Delaware's Bonnie Kenny were named CAA Co-Coaches of the Year.