Finlayson receives high honors from NEWVA
(New London, NH) The New England Women's Volleyball Association announced this week the 2012 NEWVA All-New England Teams, comprised of the top Division III women's volleyball players in the region. Twenty-six players from 15 different institutions were represented on the NEWVA First, Second, Honorable Mention and All-Rookie Teams.
Rivier University's Kenna Finlayson (Derry, NH) was named to the NEWVA 2nd Team after leading Rivier to a 24-10 overall record and an 11-1 GNAC conference record. The 5'9 outside hitter had an outstanding season leading the GNAC in kills (471), kills/set (4.76), ace serves (74), and points/set (5.70). Her 4.76 kills/set ranked her 2nd in the nation in that category and is the highest ranking for a Rivier player in the program's history. Her high level of play for the season and the playoffs lead Rivier to yet another trip to the GNAC title match and earned her GNAC Player of the Year, All GNAC 1st Team and GNAC All Tournament Team honors. Finalyson, Rivier's all-time leader in kills (1,912) and ace serves (311) is the only Rivier player to ever receive this honor and it's the second straight year she has been named to the NEWVA 2nd Team.
Established 26 years ago, the New England Women's Volleyball Association is open to all collegiate institutions in New England sponsoring Division III women's volleyball. Membership has grown to 58 members in 2012, representing nine conferences.
Finlayson was also one of three women's volleyball players from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference to have been selected to play in the New England Women's Volleyball Association's (NEWVA) DIII Senior Classic.
The NEWVA Senior Classic, which will take place on December 2 at Babson College, is an annual event that showcases New England's top-35 DIII senior volleyball players competing in various skills competitions leading up to an all-star match. Krista LaBissoniere (Meriden, Conn.) of Albertus Magnus College, Yun-Ting Lee (Keelung, Taiwan) of Emmanuel College Finlayson will represent the GNAC as each earned a coveted spot in the NEWVA DIII Senior Classic.
Finlayson, who was named the GNAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, recorded another monster season for Rivier. The senior collected 10 or more kills in 28 matches including a season-high of 27 winners on Sept. 8 vs. the University of New England. She played all the way around, recording a 232 digs over 99 sets played. The outside hitter recorded a total of 566 points which was first in the GNAC.
LaBissoniere helped lead the Falcons to 12 wins, their most since the 1996 season when the program finished the year 10-7. This season, LaBissoniere proved herself to be a versatile player, finding success as both a Libero and an Outside Hitter. LaBissoniere earned 312 digs this season, the second most of any Falcon, and the 13th most of any player in the GNAC. Her 2.65 digs per set were eighth best in the GNAC as well. She also ranked second among her teammates in assists with 184, while posting a solid 50 kills on the year.
Lee put together another impressive campaign, leading the Saints while ranking second in the GNAC with 509 digs. The senior averaged 4.67 digs per set which also ranked second in the conference. Lee was Emmanuel's most consistent defensive player all season long, collecting 10 or more digs in 26 matches including 20 or more in nine contests. The libero posted a season-high of 35 digs on Sept. 8 against Babson College and finished the year with 21 aces, 15 assists and 13 kills.
The Senior Classic's full list of honorees represents 24 different institutions from Division III volleyball programs across New England and nine different conferences.
