Arkansas Tech’s Kristy Bayer is the first recipient of the Great American Conference volleyball coach of the year award.
The league office announced its 2011 postseason volleyball honors on Thursday, Nov. 10.
In addition to Bayer, four members of the 2011 Golden Suns volleyball team were singled out for their performance this season.
Senior outside hitter Laura Farney, sophomore middle blocker Sara Motsinger and sophomore setter Amber Cerrillos were named to the All-GAC first team.
Junior middle blocker Brittany Ryan was among the student-athletes listed as All-GAC honorable mention.
Bayer (photographed) is in her eighth season as the Arkansas Tech head volleyball coach. She has a career record of 198-84. Her 198 victories are most in school history for a head volleyball coach.
This is the second conference coach of the year award for Bayer during her tenure with the Golden Suns. She was Gulf South Conference West Division coach of the year in 2008.
Farney is a first team all-conference pick for a third consecutive year. The Morton, Ill., native was named All-GSC West Division first team in 2009 and 2010.
Motsinger, Cerrillos and Ryan earned their first career all-league nods at the collegiate level. Cerrillos’ award marks the seventh consecutive year in which the Golden Suns have had an all-conference setter.
The Golden Suns finished the 2011 regular season with a 32-3 overall record and a 16-0 mark in GAC play.
Arkansas Tech will host the inaugural GAC Volleyball Tournament at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville this weekend. The Great American Conference, which became the 23rd NCAA Division II conference on March 9, 2011, is in its first year of competition.
Click here to read more about the GAC Volleyball Tournament.
Click here to read the complete all-conference release from the GAC office.
Click here to learn more about Arkansas Tech volleyball.
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