SOU's Stone repeats as player of the year

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ASHLAND — Southern Oregon junior setter Lindsey Stone was named the Cascade Conference Player of the Year for the second straight year.

Stone was one of three Raiders honored with postseason awards.

Sophomore Maggie Rivers was named the Libero of the Year and Stone and senior Mia Wortel were both first team All-CCC selections.

The Raiders finished their season with a 20-10 overall record and fell in the championship match of the Cascade Conference tournament.

Stone, an All-American and Player of the Year as a sophomore, was voted Cascade Conference Setter of the Week six times during the 2008 season.

Stone led the Cascade Conference in assists at 10.8 per set and ended up ranking fourth in the nation in assists.

"Her growth as a complete volleyball payer was huge this year and the other coaches recognized it," SOU head coach Josh Rohlfing said. "She became more of an offensive threat and technically a more sound setter. Lindsey made great adjustments during matches and really set herself apart and into one of the elite setters in the Nation."

Stone is just the second Raider to win multiple Player of the Year honors. Kristina Matchett was voted Player of the Year in 2001 and 2003.

Rivers burst on the scene to be voted the conference's top defensive player. Rivers averaged 4.11 digs per set and also came away with 24 aces on the season.

"Maggie was the person that got us started offensively in all the key moments," Rohlfing said. "She understood the concept of directing from the back row and took it upon herself to exemplify that in every match."

Wortel, an All-American last year, wrapped up her impressive career as a first-team selection. Wortel hit .391 during 2008 to finish second in the conference and eighth in the nation. For her career, Wortel ranks first in career attack percentage (.373), fourth in career kills (1,156) and sixth in career blocks (375).

"Mia was completely selfless this year and did whatever we asked her to do," Rohlfing said. "She created opportunities for other hitters.

"She wraps up her career as the school's most efficient hitter, but also created a team dynamic that led to our other hitters being efficient."

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