--- Four Tusculum College student-athletes have been recognized with the announcement of the 2013 South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Awards.

Senior libero Caitlyn Dean becomes the first player in program history to earn All-SAC first team honors four times in her career, while rookie outside hitter Rachel Garnett was named the SAC Freshman of the Year. Senior middle blocker Kassie Voelker was selected to the All-SAC second team, while junior outside hitter Megan Hasse received All-SAC honorable mention distinction.

Dean, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind. (Northrop HS), is wrapping up one of the greatest volleyball playing careers in SAC and NCAA Division II history. Her 3,114 career digs are a NCAA II record and the ninth most for all NCAA divisions. Dean has led the SAC in digs per set all four years, including this season averaging 6.05 per set, which is seventh-best in the country.

The two-time All-American and three-time All-Southeast Region honoree is averaging 6.87 digs per set for her career, which is the second-best average in DII history and fifth highest for all NCAA divisions. Dean has recorded 30 or more digs in 39 of her 121 career matches at Tusculum. She is also sixth in program history in career sets played (453) and career service aces (111).

Dean becomes only the eighth Tusculum student-athlete to garner All-SAC first team accolades four times. She joins fellow four-time All-SAC first teamers: Lesley Murray (women's tennis: 2000-04), Amanda Musick (women's cross country: 2001-04), Paul Hopkins (men's soccer: 2001-04), Roberto Robles (men's tennis: 2002-05), Sergio Espinosa (men's tennis: 2005-08), Jasmine Gunn (women's basketball: 2007-11) and Skylar West (football: 2009-12).

Garnett becomes the second player in program history to earn SAC Freshman of the Year honors (Ashley Sarmiento - 2010). The Cincinnati, Ohio native leads the Pioneers averaging 2.55 kills per set (17th in SAC), while her .251 hitting percentage is second on the team and 15th in the league. The Ursuline Academy graduate has recorded 308.5 points, which are third on the team and 15th in the conference. She has totaled 286 kills, 58 digs (0.52 dps) and 42 blocks (0.38 bps).

Voelker earns All-SAC recognition for a second straight year as the Morristown, Tenn. product leads the team with her .286 hitting percentage (10th in SAC) and 0.70 blocks per set average (10th in SAC). The Morristown West High School alum is second on the team in points (314 - 14th in SAC) and fourth in kills per set (2.20 kps). The 2012 AVCA All-Region selection has totaled 253 kills, 16 assists, 65 digs and 81 blocks this year. Voelker's .253 career attack percentage is the sixth highest in school history, while her 225 total blocks are tied for seventh most in the TC record book.

Hasse earns All-SAC honors for the first time in her collegiate career. The Kingston Springs, Tenn. native is leading the conference in service aces for a second straight year with 54, which are sixth-most in a TC single-season. Her 0.51 aces per set also lead the league, and is currently 18th in the country. Hasse has accounted for 334 points so far in 2013, which lead the team and are 11th in the SAC. She is also second on the team in kills per set (2.51 kps - 19th in SAC) and digs per set (2.45 dps - 22nd in SAC). The Harpeth High School graduate has recorded 109 career service aces, which are eighth in school history, while her 2,361 total attacks are ninth-most by a Pioneer.

Tusculum (20-9) is the No. 2 seed at this week's Food Lion SAC Volleyball Tournament, which is being hosted by Newberry College at Eleazer Arena on the Newberry, S.C. campus. The Pioneers will open against seventh-seeded Mars Hill on Friday for a 5 p.m. quarterfinal match.

Alison Cooker, Wingate
Caitlyn Dean, Tusculum
Shannon Gillespie, Anderson
Anna Hilton, Wingate
Keri Kemp, Queens
Hailey Pittman, Anderson
Lexi Potter, Wingate
Haley Rhyne, Lenoir-Rhyne

Second Team
Rachel Harper, Carson-Newman
Susie Murach, Wingate
Maggie Murphy, Mars Hill
Samantha Parrish, Newberry
Allison Rickher, Wingate
Kassie Voelker, Tusculum
Kaitlyn Walton, Lincoln Memorial
Marissa Wixson, Mars Hill

Honorable Mention
Toni Cole, Mars Hill
Anny Gibbs, Queens
Briana Gottberg, Lenoir-Rhyne
Megan Hasse, Tusculum
Jessica King, Newberry
Casey Mense, Lincoln Memorial
Kayla Morrow, Lenoir-Rhyne
Kristen Pickett, Carson-Newman
Zazzy Oates, Lincoln Memorial

All-Freshman Team
Abby Cash, Lincoln Memorial
Rachel Garnett, Tusculum
Marykate Griffin, Mars Hill
Logan Hayward, Newberry
Meredith Jones, Queens
Abby Saehler, Wingate

SAC Player of the Year: Anna Hilton, Wingate
SAC Freshman of the Year: Rachel Garnett, Tusculum
SAC Coach of the Year: Shelton Collier, Wingate