NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Collecting Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors for the second straight year, Melanie Lopez Soto (Gurabo, Puerto Rico) of The College of New Rochelle leads nine women named to the 2016 All-HVIAC Women's Volleyball Team as announced at the conclusion of the HVIAC Tournament at the CNR Wellness Center on Saturday evening.
Last year's co-Player of the Year and a three-time Player of the Week this season, Lopez Soto led the Blue Angels to their third straight regular season title with a perfect 4-0 mark in conference play this season. The senior averaged nearly six assists per set in league play handing out 70 in total and served up 15 aces.
Lopez Soto's teammate Imani Debose (Carson, Calif.) was tabbed Rookie of the Year after slamming conference-best 41 kills and compiling a .239 hitting percentage over four league matches. The outside hitter collected five weekly awards this season including two Player of the Week nods.
Leading the Cannoneers to a second-place finish in his first year at the helm, Pratt Institute head coach Louis Sepulveda was named 2016 Coach of the Year.
In total, nine women were honored with All-HVIAC recognition for outstanding play during the regular season. Pratt's Hannah Calderwood is one of two repeat winners and finishes her career as a four-time all-conference honoree.
The HVIAC All-Conference Team, Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year are selected by the conference's women's volleyball coaches.
Jamie Brown | Davis | Jr. | Oakvale, W.V. | |
Hannah Calderwood *** | Pratt | Sr. | MH | South Whidbey, Wash. |
Brianna Garcia | New Rochelle | Fr. | L | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
Dekka Hunley | King's | Jr. | OH | Prescott, Ariz. |
Cristal Liciaga | New Rochelle | Fr. | S/RS | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
Melanie Lopez Soto * | New Rochelle | Sr. | S | Gurabo, Puerto Rico |
Megan Read | Culinary | So. | OPP/MH | Gainsville, Fla. |
Trisha Tran | Culinary | Sr. | S | Germantown, Md. |
Joan Wyeth | Pratt | Sr. | OH | Ivoryton, Conn. |
*** Denotes 2013, 2014 & 2015All-Conference Team Selection
* Denotes 2015 All-Conference Team selection
Players of the Year - Melanie Ann Lopez Soto (College of New Rochelle)
Rookie of the Year - Imani Debose (College of New Rochelle)
Coach of the Year - Louis Sepulveda (Pratt Institute)