V-baller Nadiege honoured in US

Honore, a six-foot one-inch tall Junior (third year) outside hitter with the Siena College led her team to the Championship title in 2005 in what was the school’s first NCAA appearance in a decade.

The announcement was made last Friday evening at the annual Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The Saints volleyball team became the coaches’ choice to repeat its 2005 MAAC Championship this fall. The Saints received 96 of a possible 100 votes, edging second place Fairfield (94).

Siena was picked ninth in last year’s poll, which was memorable because head coach Garvey Pierre confidently cast his first place ballot for the Saints.

Pierre’s prediction proved accurate as the Saints reeled off nine straight victories to capture the No 2 seed in the conference championships and stun top seeded Fairfield in the MAAC Championship match.

The Saints return four of six starters from last year’s team along with sophomore libero Kathi Kobayashi.

Among the returning players is Honore of San Fernando, who set school’s records averaging 3.96 kills per game and achieving 34 kills in one match as a sophomore.

Honore was joined on the All-MAAC team by teammates Christie Gustafson and April London.

Gustafson, a senior captain was named MAAC Tournament MVP and Second Team All-MAAC as a junior.

She was second on the team with 3.46 kills per match as a junior. London was named MAAC Rookie of the Year and MAAC co-setter of the year establishing a new school benchmark with 10.4 assists per game in 2005.

Honore leaves on August 13 to join the Saints who will be challenged from the start as they open their season in Tucson, Arizona in the Arizona Wildcat Invitational on August 25 and 26.