Nov. 20, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Middle blocker Megan Laughlin received a spot on the 2007 Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team, the league office announced Tuesday.

Laughlin started and played in every match this season and led the squad with 42 aces, ranking her sixth in the conference. She stood second on the team in numerous categories, including hitting percentage (.286), blocks (0.92 bpg) and points (389.5). Her 2.71 kills per game average stood third on the squad. She was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Oct. 8, the only Gamecock ever to earn the honor.

The Cornell, Ill., product is Carolina’s second All-Freshman Team selection in the three-year history of the team.

Florida landed five people in the all-conference squads and another on the all-freshman team. The Gators’ Angie McGinnis was voted the Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, while LSU’s Elena Martinez was selected the Defensive Player of the Year. Tennessee’s Nikki Fowler picked up the Freshman of the Year award, and Auburn’s Rachel Shanks was chosen as the Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Florida’s Mary Wise and Mississippi’s Joe Getzin shared Coach of the Year honors.

South Carolina ended its season with a 14-15 overall record.

Southeastern Conference Postseason Honors
First Team All-SEC
Crystal Hudson, Alabama
Marcie Hampton, Florida
Amber McCray, Florida
Angie McGinnis, Florida
Queen Nzenwa, Kentucky
Lauren DeGirolamo, LSU
Kyna Washington, LSU

Second Team All-SEC
Bridget Fuentez, Alabama
Jessica Dorrell, Arkansas
Kelsey Bowers, Florida
Kisya Killingsworth, Florida
Maria Taylor, Georgia
Nicole Britenriker, Kentucky
Elena Martinez, LSU
Rachel Kieckhaefer, Mississippi

SEC All-Freshman Team
Sarah Freundenrich, Arkansas
Erika Clark, Georgia
Callie Rivers, Florida
Lauren Rapp, Kentucky
Angela Bensend, LSU
Jackie Jones, Mississippi
Megan Laughlin, South Carolina
Nikki Fowler, Tennessee

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Angie McGinnis, Florida
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Elena Martinez, LSU
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Nikki Fowler, Tennessee
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Rachel Shanks, Auburn
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR: Mary Wise, Florida; Joe Getzin, Mississippi