After winning the most games in Simmons Volleyball history the Sharks volleyball program has made history yet again. Conference officials announced this week that freshman outside hitter Meaghan Flynn (Laguna Beach, Calif.) has been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All-Conference Second Team, marking the first time in program history that a player has claimed GNAC Rookie of the Year honors. Sophomore middle hitter Shamika Johnson (Springfield, Mass.) was selected as Simmons' Sportsmanship Award honoree.
Flynn led the NCAA and the team with 1.34 service aces per game and ranked among conference leaders in hitting percentage (2nd, .321) and kills per game (5th, 3.07). Flynn who was twice named to the GNAC Weekly Honor Roll recorded double-digit kills in 13 matches. She tallied a team-high nine double-doubles, including a career-best 34 digs against Mount Ida. Flynn also registered two triple-doubles with 12 kills, 15 services aces and 19 digs versus Emerson and 15 kills, 11 services aces and 10 digs against Saint Joseph (Conn.). She finished the season with 234 digs, 221 kills, 95 services aces and 21 blocks.
"Meaghan was an incredible asset to the Simmons volleyball team this season," said Head Coach Jason Conetta. "She took the responsibility of becoming the leading attack for the offense and took this role with determination to be one of the most consistent passing, hitting serving machines in the GNAC conference this season. Not only was her offense a threat to every team, her defense was stellar as well. Meaghan was always sacrificing herself and diving on the floor with the mentality that a ball never drops. It was a true privilege to watch Meaghan on the court this season and I can only imagine how much of a threat she will be in the future."
Johnson who completed her second year with the volleyball program was the recipient of the 2008 GNAC Sportsmanship Award.
"Shamika was tremendous throughout the season," said Conetta. "She was a true inspiration for the Sharks throughout the season and was positive even through the most difficult of times. She was a spark for our team, when our team was down we could count on "Shimmy" to get us back to where we needed to be. Shamika has a tremendous attitude on and off the court and is an athlete coaches dream of having. Heart plays an important factor in athletics, and Shamika has all the heart in the world."