ELON, N.C. – The North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) announced its selections for the 2015 University Division All-State Women's Soccer Teams on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Elon's
Kendall Ballotti all earned first-team all-state honors, while seniors
Mel Insley and
Samantha Burch tabbed spots on the second-team.
"I am very proud of the accomplishments of Kendall, Mel and Sam this season," said head women's soccer coach
Chris Neal. "It is nice to see the three of them be honored by the NCCSIA for their contributions to our team's success during the 2015 season."
Playing a major role in the back line, sophomore defender Ballotti started in 17 of the team's 18 games during the 2015 season and helped the Phoenix improve from a 5-12-0 record in 2014 to a 9-8-2 mark in the 2015 season. The native of Long Valley, N.J. scored three times for the Phoenix in her second year with the program. Elon showed great improvement defensively as its goals against average (GAA) was reduced from 2.0 in 2014 to 1.0 2015, the amount of shutouts doubled from four to eight, and the team conceded 15 less goals, plus a goal differential swing of 27 goals with Ballotti a part of the back line.
A senior midfielder, Burch
played in 19 matches on the year, making 12 starts and finished tied for first on the team in goals (4) and points (9) on the season. The senior from Chapel Hill, N.C. scored a game-winner in a 2-1 overtime win at Gardner-Webb on Sept. 18. She scored her other three goals in a win at South Carolina State, and got on the scoresheet twice in a 4-2 victory over Charlotte on Sept. 20. Burch was also named to the 10-member CAA Women's Soccer All-Academic Team.
A Dillsburg, Pa. native, senior midfielder Insley also played an important role offensively as Elon scored 12 more goals and had 110 more shots created in an improved 2015 season compared to the 2014. Insley, who started in all 19 games, finished the 2015 season scoring three goals and tallying an assist. She proved to be a weapon on set pieces during the season scoring all three of her goals on free kicks.
North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association
2015 University Division All-State Women's Soccer TeamsFirst TeamPos. Name Class School HometownGK Alex Persiani So. High Point Estero, Fla.
D Morgan Leyble Sr. UNCW Jacksonville, N.C.
D Kelsey Perrell @ R-Jr. High Point King, N.C.
D Kendall Ballotti So. Elon Long Valley, N.J.M Stephanie Bronson ^ R-Sr. UNCW Raleigh, N.C.
M Becca Rolfe # So. High Point Nashville, Tenn.
M Payton Ormsby Jr. Campbell Chesapeake, Va.
M Shelby Hooe # Sr. Gardner-Webb Mechanicsville, Va.
F Maddie McCormick Sr. UNCW Newark, Del.
F Ashley Clark R-Sr. Campbell Cary, N.C.
F Martha Thomas # So. Charlotte Weston, Fla.
Second TeamPos. Name Class School HometownGK Carolyn Huddy Jr. UNCW Huntersville, N.C.
D Emma Houser So. UNC Asheville Chapel Hill, N.C.
D Amy Burch Sr. High Point Boiling Springs, N.C.
D Murita Storey Jr. Campbell Chesapeake, Va.
M Katie O'Neill Jr. Charlotte Kearny, N.J.
M Samantha Burch Sr. Elon Chapel Hill, N.C.M Bailey Hierholzer Fr. Gardner-Webb Heath, Texas
M Mel Insley Sr. Elon Dillsburg, Pa.F Katrina Guillou @^ Sr. UNCW Fort Washington, Md.
F Caroline Houser So. UNC Asheville Chapel Hill, N.C.
F Paige Trent Jr. UNC Asheville Winston-Salem, N.C.
# - First Team All-State in 2014
@ - Second Team All-State in 2014
^ - First Team All-State in 2013
-- ELON --
