DOVER, Del. - Norfolk State junior
Lily Rose-Pichon made history on Thursday evening, becoming the first NSU volleyball player to win the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year award.
The conference unveiled its postseason honorees at the 2024 MEAC Volleyball Championship Banquet on Thursday night in Dover, Del.
Sophomore
Gabrielle Gilbert earned All-MEAC First Team honors for the second consecutive season, becoming the first Spartan to achieve that feat. Junior
Sydney McCree also received a postseason accolade, landing on the
All-MEAC Second Team
.
A junior transfer from Colby Community College, Rose-Pichon ranks second in the conference in digs per set (4.02) and second in total digs (390). Rose-Pichon's total ranks fifth all–time in Norfolk State history for a single season.
In a dominant campaign, Rose-Pichon recorded 20 or more digs four times, posting a season-high 25 digs in a 3-1 win over Hampton on Oct. 16. She also notched 24 double-digit dig performances as well.
An outside hitter/opposite from Indianapolis, Ind., Gilbert continues her impressive Spartan campaign, etching her name further into the Norfolk State volleyball record book.
Gilbert became the first NSU player to earn multiple First Team All-MEAC selection, receiving honors in 2023 as well.
The sophomore outside hitter led the conference in total points (457.5) while ranking, second in kills per set (4.06) and second in total kills (394).
Gilbert recorded five double-doubles, six matches with 20 or more kills, and 24 double-digit kill performances in 27 matches played. She posted a season-high 24 kills, along with 11 digs, and two service aces against N.C. Central on Sept. 27.
A Junior setter from Durham, N.C., McCree tallied 8.19 assists per set to rank third in the conference, whilst totaling 794 assist, to rank second
. McCree eclipsed 2,000 career assists against Delaware State on Nov. 3.
McCree posted 40 or more assists three times, 30 or more 13 times, and 20 or more 25 times across 27 matches played.
No. 4 seed Norfolk State begins postseason play on Friday against Maryland Eastern Shore, the No. 5 seed, at 2:30 p.m.
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
MEAC Volleyball
2024 Postseason All-MEAC Teams
As voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors
Player of the Year: Rya McKinnon, Howard
Rookie of the Year: Paige Ahakuelo, Delaware State
Setter of the Year: Leah Reeves, Howard
Defensive Player of the Year: Lily Rose-Pichon, Norfolk State
Coach of the Year: Shaun Kupferberg, Howard
ALL-MEAC FIRST TEAM
| Name |
Class |
Ht. |
Pos. |
School |
Hometown |
| Rya McKinnon |
Jr. |
5-11 |
OH |
Howard |
Hoover, Ala. |
| TaKenya Stafford |
R-Jr. |
5-11 |
OH |
Coppin State |
Los Angeles, Calif. |
| Gerren Tomlin |
Jr. |
5-10 |
OH |
Delaware State |
Statesville, N.C. |
| Gabby Gilbert |
So. |
6-0 |
OH |
Norfolk State |
Indianapolis, Ind. |
| Sophia Bertotti Metoyer |
Gr. |
6-2 |
MB |
Coppin State |
Spokane, Wash. |
| Jada Williams |
So. |
6-2 |
MB |
Morgan State |
Fredericksburg, Va. |
| Cimone Woodard |
Sr. |
6-3 |
MB |
Howard |
Missouri City, Texas |
| Coco Figueroa |
So. |
5-5 |
L |
Coppin State |
Bayamon, Puerto Rico |
| Leah Reeves |
Sr. |
6-1 |
S |
Howard |
Medellin, Colombia |
ALL-MEAC SECOND TEAM
| Name |
Class |
Ht. |
Pos. |
School |
Hometown |
| Dami Awojobi |
Sr. |
6-1 |
OH |
Howard |
Hempstead, N.Y. |
| Daniela Ferreira |
Jr. |
6-2 |
OH |
Morgan State |
Lisbon, Portugal |
| Nkemjika Ikemefuna |
Jr. |
5-11 |
OH |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
Richmond, Texas |
| Hannah Sanders |
So. |
6-0 |
MH |
Delaware State |
Lawrenceville, Ga. |
| Claire Simpson |
Jr. |
5-6 |
L |
Howard |
Plainfield, Ill. |
| Anisa Dorlouis |
So. |
5-8 |
S |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
Gainesville, Fla. |
| Sydney McCree |
Jr. |
5-11 |
S |
Norfolk State |
Durham, N.C. |
MEAC ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
| Name |
Class |
Ht. |
Pos. |
School |
Hometown |
| Paige Ahakuelo |
Fr. |
5-8 |
S |
Delaware State |
Winchester, Va. |
| Lilliana Montes |
Fr. |
6-4 |
MB |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
Murrieta, Calif. |
| McKenzie Parks |
Fr. |
6-0 |
MH |
Coppin State |
McDonough, Ga. |
| Aubrey Wilson |
Fr. |
6-2 |
MB |
Morgan State |
Fayetteville, Ga. |
| Payton Swinton |
Fr. |
5-10 |
OPP |
Coppin State |
Odenton, Md. |
| Kayden Cupid |
Fr. |
6-0 |
MH |
N.C. Central |
Supply, N.C. |
