Troy University Athletics
Anderson, Hayes Named All-Sun Belt First Team
11/19/2019 11:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – Troy volleyball's Amara Anderson and Cheyenne Hayes were each named First Team All-Sun Belt, the league office announced Tuesday. This marks the first time since Troy joined the conference in 2005 that a Trojan garnered first-team honors.
This is just the second time since 2005 two Trojans received a Sun Belt season honor in the same year. Cheyenne Hayes is the first Troy player to be recognized by the league in back-to-back seasons since 2002-03.
"Amara and Cheyenne have been extremely consistent throughout the whole season and are hardworking, team-first players," head coach Josh Lauer said. "They very much understand that their individual success is tightly tied to the success of the team and how well they bring out the best in each other and the rest of their teammates. The team set goals to make history this season and they continue to do that every step along the way."
Amara Anderson – First Team
Anderson proved to be the best setter in the conference this season after leading the league in both total assists and assists per set. The Alpharetta, Ga., native was the only player in the Sun Belt to eclipse the 1,200-assist mark during the regular season. Anderson averaged 11.50 assists per set this season and was the only setter in the league to average more than 10.75 assists per set. She ends the regular season as the only player in the league ranked in the top 10 nationally in each category, ranking seventh in total assists and 10th in assists per set. As only a sophomore, Anderson is already seventh on Troy's all-time assists list with 2,425.
The Alpharetta, Ga. native showed her defensive tenacity throughout the season, recording double-digit digs in a dozen matches for 12 double-doubles this season. Anderson was a force at the service line as well with 27 aces on the year. She added 47 kills and 26 total blocks to her impressive stat line.
"Amara has had a tremendous season and I'm happy that her hard work and talent are being recognized this year," Lauer said. "She loves her teammates, loves playing volleyball and continues to establish herself as not just the top setter in the Sun Belt, but one of the top setters in the country."
Cheyenne Hayes – First Team
After receiving second-team honors in 2018, Hayes took a step up this season and cemented herself as one of the best hitters in school history. The junior posted 409 kills this season which is the third-best mark in the league and ranks 45th nationally. Hayes' 3.90 kills per set is also the third-best in the Sun Belt and ranks 59th nationally.
The Newnan, Ga., native is now seventh on Troy's all-time kills list with 1,114 and her career average of 3.21 kills per set is fourth-highest in school history. Hayes is the first Trojan since the 2002-03 seasons to register back-to-back 400 kill seasons and is the only Troy hitter to do it in the modern 25-point rally era (2008).
Hayes recorded nine double-doubles this season and was second on the team in digs with 259 on the year. She added 31 blocks, 24 aces and 18 assists to her regular season stat line.
"Cheyenne is such a dynamic player and she is truly one of the best six rotation players in our league," Lauer said. "Cheyenne's commitment to playing the whole game and leading by example both on and off the court are a big reason for our success this season. She continues to improve, she loves this team and deserved to be recognized as one of the elite players in the Sun Belt."
Troy was tabbed the No. 4 seed in this week's Sun Belt Conference Tournament hosted by Texas State in San Marcos, Texas. The Trojans have earned a first-round bye and will play the winner of No. 5 Louisiana and No. 8 Arkansas State Friday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. on ESPN+.
Follow Troy Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram for updates and coverage throughout the week. Previews and recaps will be posted to troytrojans.com
Follow Troy Volleyball
Social: Twitter | Instagram
Join The Conversation: #BuildTheEmpire | #OneTROY
This is just the second time since 2005 two Trojans received a Sun Belt season honor in the same year. Cheyenne Hayes is the first Troy player to be recognized by the league in back-to-back seasons since 2002-03.
"Amara and Cheyenne have been extremely consistent throughout the whole season and are hardworking, team-first players," head coach Josh Lauer said. "They very much understand that their individual success is tightly tied to the success of the team and how well they bring out the best in each other and the rest of their teammates. The team set goals to make history this season and they continue to do that every step along the way."
Amara Anderson – First Team
Anderson proved to be the best setter in the conference this season after leading the league in both total assists and assists per set. The Alpharetta, Ga., native was the only player in the Sun Belt to eclipse the 1,200-assist mark during the regular season. Anderson averaged 11.50 assists per set this season and was the only setter in the league to average more than 10.75 assists per set. She ends the regular season as the only player in the league ranked in the top 10 nationally in each category, ranking seventh in total assists and 10th in assists per set. As only a sophomore, Anderson is already seventh on Troy's all-time assists list with 2,425.
The Alpharetta, Ga. native showed her defensive tenacity throughout the season, recording double-digit digs in a dozen matches for 12 double-doubles this season. Anderson was a force at the service line as well with 27 aces on the year. She added 47 kills and 26 total blocks to her impressive stat line.
"Amara has had a tremendous season and I'm happy that her hard work and talent are being recognized this year," Lauer said. "She loves her teammates, loves playing volleyball and continues to establish herself as not just the top setter in the Sun Belt, but one of the top setters in the country."
Cheyenne Hayes – First Team
After receiving second-team honors in 2018, Hayes took a step up this season and cemented herself as one of the best hitters in school history. The junior posted 409 kills this season which is the third-best mark in the league and ranks 45th nationally. Hayes' 3.90 kills per set is also the third-best in the Sun Belt and ranks 59th nationally.
The Newnan, Ga., native is now seventh on Troy's all-time kills list with 1,114 and her career average of 3.21 kills per set is fourth-highest in school history. Hayes is the first Trojan since the 2002-03 seasons to register back-to-back 400 kill seasons and is the only Troy hitter to do it in the modern 25-point rally era (2008).
Hayes recorded nine double-doubles this season and was second on the team in digs with 259 on the year. She added 31 blocks, 24 aces and 18 assists to her regular season stat line.
"Cheyenne is such a dynamic player and she is truly one of the best six rotation players in our league," Lauer said. "Cheyenne's commitment to playing the whole game and leading by example both on and off the court are a big reason for our success this season. She continues to improve, she loves this team and deserved to be recognized as one of the elite players in the Sun Belt."
Troy was tabbed the No. 4 seed in this week's Sun Belt Conference Tournament hosted by Texas State in San Marcos, Texas. The Trojans have earned a first-round bye and will play the winner of No. 5 Louisiana and No. 8 Arkansas State Friday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. on ESPN+.
Follow Troy Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram for updates and coverage throughout the week. Previews and recaps will be posted to troytrojans.com
Follow Troy Volleyball
Social: Twitter | Instagram
Join The Conversation: #BuildTheEmpire | #OneTROY
Players Mentioned
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