CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Four members of Lesley University women's volleyball team have been honored by the New England Collegiate Conference as the postseason awards were announced today. Freshman Anni Abbruzzese (Croton on Hudson, N.Y.) was named to the All-Conference First Team while classmate Ciara Bruning (Centerville, Mass.) and juniors Emily Marden (Fremont, Calif.) and Danielle McDonald (Lilitz, Pa.) were honored on the All-Conference Second Team.

Abbruzzese led the Lynx with 182 kills on the season while chipping in with 161 digs in her rookie campaign. The freshman finished with three double-doubles on the season while setting a career-high 18 kills in a 3-1 win over Anna Maria College. Her 2.89 kills/set was good enough for fourth best in the conference.

Bruning was a force in the middle for the Lynx, knocking down 159 kills while swinging a team-best .315 on the season, which was ranked second best in the NECC. The rookie also finished second on the team with 17 blocks.

Marden set up the offense all season as she finished with a team-high 552 assists while finishing third on the team with 178 digs on the defensive side of the ball. Her 8.41 assists/set ranked third in the conference.

Junior Danielle McDonald (Lilitz, Pa.) anchored the Lesley defense with 253 total digs while finishing third on the team with 31 aces. McDonald was fourth in the NECC with 4.12 digs/set.

To view the official release, please click here.

2014 NECC Women's Volleyball Awards

Player of the Year – Courtney Banks, Newbury College, So., MH, Corona, Calif.

Defensive Player of the Year – Kacie Beyruther, Bay Path University, Sr, Libero, East Lyme, Conn.

Rookie of the Year – Lina Miranda, Newbury College, FY, OH, Brockton, Mass.

Coach of the Year – Scott Wright, Regis College

Team Sportsmanship Award – Elms College

2014 NECC Women's Volleyball All-Conference First Team

• Courtney Banks, Newbury College, So., MH, Corona, Calif.
• Kristina del Rey, Regis So., RS, Miami, Fla.
• Jessica Dalgado, Southern Vermont, Sr., OH, Los Angeles, Calif.
• Anni Abbruzzese, Lesley, FY., OH, Croton on Hudson, N.Y.
• Kacie Beyruther, Bay Path University, Sr., L, East Lyme, Conn.
• Lina Miranda, Newbury College, FY, OH, Brockton, Mass.

2014 NECC Women's Volleyball All-Conference Second Team

• Ciara Bruning, Lesley, FY, OH, Centerville, Mass.
• Gracie Molinari, Regis, FY, OH, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
• Nicole Connolly, Regis, FY, MB, San Mateo, Calif.
• Emily Marden, Lesley, Jr., S, Freemont, Calif.
• Meghan McDermott, Newbury, Sr., DS, Hampton, N.H.
• Danielle McDonald, Lesley, Jr., OH, Lilitz, Pa.

2014 NECC Women's Volleyball All-Conference Honorable Mention

• Sheilani Kaleopa, Southern Vermont, Jr., S, Riverside, Calif.
• Christine Searles, Elms, Sr., MH, Tolland, Mass.
• Courtney Warrington, Daniel Webster, FY, OH, Canton, Texas
• Amanda Garcia, Mitchell, Jr., MB, New Britain, Conn.
• Tina Lathrop, Regis, FY, S, Houston, Texas