O'Neill Becomes Sixth Babson Volleyball Player To Earn All-Conference Honors; Two Others Also Recognized

BABSON PARK, Mass. -- The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) announced its 2008 postseason awards this week, and Babson College junior Caitlin O'Neill (Lynnfield, Mass.) became just the sixth woman in program history to earn All-Conference honors when she was named to the All-NEWMAC Second Team. In addition, junior Shanna Glassner (Orland Park, Ill.) and sophomore Laura Duston (Nashua, N.H.) were named to the Academic All-Conference Team for the Beavers, who enjoyed one of their best seasons in over a decade this fall.

The Beavers' first All-Conference honoree since Barbara Wong in 2002, O'Neill enjoyed a breakout season for the Green and White this fall. The junior middle started all 28 matches and played 99 of the team's 100 sets, amassing 277 kills, 41 service aces, and 65 total blocks (38 solo, 27 assisted). She led the team and ranked sixth in the league with a .246 hitting percentage, while her 2.80 kills per set placed her ninth in the NEWMAC.

Glassner and Duston also earned conference recognition this week, as both were selected to the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference squad. Glassner played all but two sets this season, ranking first on the team and second in the league with 471 digs. The junior libero also led the Beavers with 42 service aces to go along with 76 assists. Duston played in 74 sets over 23 matches for Babson, recording 70 kills 35 digs, 19 block assists, and 21 set assists in her second collegiate season.

Under the guidance of head coach Tonya Strange '94, who is the only two-time All-Conference honoree in program history, the Beavers enjoyed a wonderful turnaround this fall. Finishing 16-12, Babson recorded its most wins since 2002, its highest winning percentage since 2001, and its best conference finish since 1993. The Beavers then capped off their outstanding fall with an ECAC Tournament berth - the first postseason bid in the 29-year history of the program.