WILESKA, Ga. – Three members of the University of Pikeville volleyball team have been honored by the Appalachian Athletics Conference for their play this season and several for their successes in the classroom.
 
On Wednesday afternoon, the AAC announced that freshman Lanie Hawley has been honored as a first-team all-conference selection, while senior Cheyenne Martinez and junior Yaricel Rodrigues have been named to the second team and 11 have been named to the All-Academic Team.
 
Additionally, Hawley has been named to the six-person All-Freshman Team.
 
Hawley is a 5-11 freshman from Kenosha, Wisc., finished her first regular season with 262 kills and a .275 attack percentage, which led the team among qualifiers. She also led the team with 51 service aces this season.
 
Her service aces placed her second in the AAC and average of 0.49 aces per set was third.
 
On the defensive side, she led the Bears in all three block categories, posting 75 total blocks, 32 block solos and 43 block assists. All of those placed her in the Top 10 in the conference.
 
"I feel blessed to have Lanie and her family as part of UPIKE volleyball," said first-year Coach Kris Kern. "Her impact was instant and thinking about her having three more seasons is exciting."
 
Rodriguez is a 5-11 junior outside hitter from Bayamon, P.R. She led the team with 366 kills, which was second in the AAC. Her 895 total attacks led the Bears and placed her fifth in the conference.
 
She also finished with 28 solo blocks, which was second to Hawley on the team and tied for sixth in the league. She also had 22 block assists and 50 total blocks, both good for second on the club.
 
"Yaricel is a special athlete who amazing leaping ability," said Coach Kern. "She is a joy to watch and is always wanting more."
 
Martinez, a 5-10 senior setter from Roswell, N.M., had 806 assists on the season, averaging 7.26 assists per set. Both of those numbers placed her fifth in the league.
 
She was also fourth on the team with 109 kills and tied for third with 33 service aces.
 
She also excelled on defense, where she was third on the team with 17 solo blocks, 17 block assists and 34 total blocks. She was also second on the club with 192 digs.
 
"Over 2000 career assists is special and her ability to distribute the ball anywhere on the court certainly sets her apart," Kern said. "Cheyenne leaves big shoes to fill and her legacy as a great setter is planted."
 
UPike placed 11 players on the All-Academic Team. To qualify, a player must be a sophomore or higher and have a 3.25 overall grade-point average.
 
The members of the Bears who qualified were seniors Mikela Cook, Daniela Hernandez, Cheyenne Martinez, Gabby Myers, Emily Short, Oksana Vucetic and Kiera Warrens; junior Kaitlyn Jager; and sophomores Whitney Moore, Jordan Roberts and Jada Slone.
 
The Bears will begin play in the AAC tournament on Thursday afternoon. They will meet Montreat (N.C.) College at 2 p.m. The tournament is played at the MeadowView Marriott Convention Center & Conference Resort in Kingsport, Tenn.