Anderson's Conlin Named 2019 SAC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Anderson University's Emily Conlin was voted the 2019 South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced today.

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service, and leadership. 

Conlin, a senior business and computer information systems double major, has a perfect 4.0 GPA. The 2019 Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for NCAA Division II volleyball, she is a three-time Academic All-America® First-Team selection, a member of the AU Dean's List and the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, while also earning the 2019 SAC Volleyball Elite 20 Award. 

"We are all extremely proud of Emily for her incredible career on the court and in the classroom," said Anderson head volleyball coach Todd Hay. "She truly embodies what it means to be a student-athlete, dedicating herself to excellence in all that she does. Her teammates and I offer our sincerest congratulations and wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors."

The Glendale, Ariz., native started every match for the Trojans this season and was named to the South Atlantic Conference All-Tournament Team. Conlin, the 2019 SAC Player of the Year, earned SAC Specialist of the Week on five occasions this past season and led the league with 1,162 assists.

She posted 20 double-doubles (assists, digs) and distributed double-figure assists in every match this season. Conlin reached 40+ assists on 15 occasions with a season-high 54 (twice). Earlier this year, she became Anderson's all-time leader in assists and finished her stellar career with 5,019 assists, which stands second all-time in the South Atlantic Conference record books. Her 1,537 career digs place her ninth all-time in AU's record books and she wrapped up her career in third place with 189 career service aces.

Conlin was the only player in the conference and one of only three players in the Southeast Region with more than 1,100 assists and 300 digs and also led the conference in assists per set (10.56), while ranking 29th in the nation in assists per set. Conlin also stood 13th in the SAC with 39 aces, 12th in the SAC in digs and 15th in digs per set (3.54).

Off the court, Conlin has been just as active, participating as a volunteer during Anderson Move-In Day, serving as a member of the Anderson Business Club, and serving as a tutor in business statistics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. She completed an internship with the City of Glendale Economic Development Department, earned the Lucy Primrose Whyte Endowment and has served as a camp counselor and assistant volleyball coach for various club teams and camps.  

Volleyball Scholar-Athlete Finalists

Madison Rademacher, Carson-Newman
Kylie Morgan, Catawba
Taylor du Bray, Coker
Sally Ann Johnson, Mars Hill
Toni-Anne Whitlow, Newberry
Gabby Gray, Tusculum
Rachel Alles, Wingate

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