Teams: Women's Volleyball: Press Releases

Monday, November 17, 2008

VOLLEYBALL MEMBERS SELECTED FOR VARIETY OF ALL-REGION HONORS

Dena Feiger is the best setter in New England, according to the region's head coaches

MEDFORD -- Four members of the Tufts University volleyball team received honors when the New England Women's Volleyball Association (NEWVA) and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region teams were announced recently.

Coach Cora Thompson, who guided Tufts to a 29-4 record, including a 10-0 finish in the NESCAC, was named NEWVA Coach of the Year. The Jumbos were the #1 team in the weekly NEWVA poll throughout the season. Due to its superior season under Coach Thompson, Tufts hosted both the conference and NCAA New England Region tournaments at Cousens Gym. Thompson and Springfield's Joel Dearing, the Coach of the Year runner-up, served as honorary head coaches at the 2008 NEWVA Senior Classic yesterday at Wellesley College.

Jumbo junior setter Dena Feiger (Long Grove, IL), sophomore outside hitter Dawson Joyce-Mendive (Minden, NV) and senior tri-captain Natalie Goldstein (Piedmont, CA) were all named to the two All-Region teams.

Feiger was recognized as the best setter in New England with her placement on the All-NEWVA 1st Team and as the lone setter among the 14 players selected to the AVCA All-New England squad. She finished the year averaging 10.19 assists per set. Joyce-Mendive, whose 3.53 kills per game led Tufts, was named NEWVA All-New England 2nd Team and to the AVCA New England Region team. Goldstein is on the All-NEWVA 3rd Team and an AVCA All-New England selection. Her 4.55 digs per game was the fourth straight year that she led the Jumbos in that category.

Additionally, Joyce-Mendive was named to the All-Tournament team at the NCAA Div. III Volleyball Championship New England Regional played at Tufts November 13-15. She had 3.62 kills per set and a .271 hitting percentage in two NCAA matches for the Jumbos. Tufts seniors Goldstein, Kate Denniston (Tarzana, CA), Stacy Filocco (Olney, MD) and Maya Ripecky (Chicago, IL) were selected to play in the NEWVA Senior Classic.

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