Billingy receives top v-ball award

Billingy, who led the Marshall University to their capture of the C-USA regular championship, was also selected to the C-USA All Conference First Team. She was the only sophomore to make the squad.

"It’s great to be on the first team with Katie Stein and an honour to be Player of the Year," Billingy told the college’s website.

"But it wouldn’t be possible without all the hard work my team has put in this year. I want to congratulate Katie (Stein), Nickie (Sanlin) and Steph (Cahill) for their awards."

"They’re all very deserving and I want to congratulate coach (Mitch Jacobs) because he’s done a great job this season."

Billingy has been outstanding since joining the "Thundering Herd."

The MVP at the junior Caribbean Volley-ball Championships earlier this year, Billingy is the leading attacker in the league with a hitting percentage of .364.

She hit over .500 in six matches and reached double figures in almost every match in which she played, including a University record of 38 kills against Memphis State.

With her performance, she has broken the 1 000 career-kill barrier and lies fourth in Marshall history with 1 154 kills.

Billingy is also a three-time C-USA Player of the Week and was recently awarded the prestigious Sports Imports/AVCA Nati-onal Player of the Week.

Coach Jacobs was also full of praise for the outstanding outside hitter.

"It’s great that our players got the caliber of recognition that they did," Jacobs said.

"For Kelly to be the only sophomore on the First Team and to be named Player of the Year is quite an honour for her."

The other awards were taken by Stein who grabbed the Setter of the Year award while Jacobs was named Coach of the Year.