Dec. 4, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Thirteen Atlantic Coast Conference student-athletes were named to the 2012 All-East Region Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, announced today by the AVCA. In addition, four student-athletes garnered honorable mention accolades, Miami’s Nicole Lantagne Welch was named the East Region Coach of the Year, and North Carolina’s Paige Neuenfeldt was honored as the East Region Freshman of the Year.

Neuenfeldt was a key player for North Carolina and led the Tar Heels to a third place finish in the ACC. A native of Birmingham, Mich., Neuenfeldt earned ACC Freshman of the Week honors five times during the season. She finished her rookie campaign ranked eighth in the conference in hitting percentage (.330) and fourth in blocks per set (1.18).

Lantagne Welch, who was also named the ACC Coach of the Year, led the Hurricanes to a 25-6 record after losing four starters from the 2011 squad. Miami finished with a 17-3 mark in conference play, good for sole possession of second place in the ACC. This is her second AVCA East Region Coach of the Year recognition and first since 2008.

Seven ACC schools had student-athletes on the All-East Region, led by Miami with four recognitions. Florida State had three honored, followed by North Carolina with two and Clemson, NC State, Duke, and Georgia Tech with one apiece.

The full release from the AVCA can be found at: http://www.avca.org/awards/regional-awards/division-one/