Thursday, November 01, 2012

Macon, GA - Freshman standout McKenzie Bragg has been named to both the Great South Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball All-Conference and All-Freshman teams.  The Columbus, Ga., native led the Pioneers in every offensive attacking category and is one of the best statistical players Wesleyan has had since the sport was reinstituted to the athletic department four years ago.  She is the first Wesleyan volleyball player to earn the All-Conference honor since Wesleyan joined the GSAC in 2002.

Bragg started every match for the Pioneers this season and was the only player to see action in all 89 sets that Wesleyan played.  She led the Pioneers in total kills (247), kills per set (2.78), and total attacks (715).  Her kills and kills per set totals marked the most for a Wesleyan athlete since the Pioneers re-instituted the volleyball program.  On the conference level, Bragg also posted a GSAC-best 26 kills twice this year and tallied three of the GSAC's eight 20-kill matches this year.

Not a one-dimensional player by any means, she also shined for the Pioneers defensively.  She led the team in total blocks (22) in addition to accumulating 123 digs this season.

"McKenzie is one of the most talented volleyball players I have ever known," stated Wesleyan head volleyball coach J.D. McAllister.  "And, to her credit, she doesn't even know how good she is because she's such a humble young lady.  She is likeable, coachable, polite, and smart. She is not just a powerful hitter but also an excellent all around player.  I really look forward to her next three years as a college volleyball player and what she will bring to the team and to the court."

The Pioneers will play Spelman College, who they split with in the regular season, in the first round of the Great South Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship tomorrow afternoon at 4:30pm.  The match will be played at Agnes Scott College.