RICHMOND, Va. – Elon University volleyball's Haylie Clark has been named the Colonial Athletic Association's (CAA) Setter of the Year and Head Coach Mary Tendler has been selected CAA Coach of the Year as the league announced its 2021 postseason honors on Wednesday morning, Nov. 17. Additionally, Leah Daniel was selected to the All-CAA First Team, Jenn Krzeminski joined Clark on the All-CAA Second Team and Sydney Love garnered All-Rookie Team honors.

The CAA's year-end awards were voted on by the league's nine head coaches. CAA Player of the Year honors went to James Madison's Miëtte Veldman, while Hofstra's Chiara Cucco earned Libero of the Year and teammate Beatriz Alves was tabbed Rookie of the Year.
 
"Leah, Haylie, Jenn and Sydney have all made huge impacts on our team and are very deserving of post-season recognition," said Tendler. "With all the great players in the CAA, there was not room to recognize all of the deserving players, including some of our own. I applaud all of these individuals as well."

One of Elon's two team captains this year, Clark set a new personal best with 868 assists this season. The Saint Cloud, Fla., native has now collected double-digit assists in 51 straight matches dating back to the 2019 season. She posted six double-doubles and was awarded CAA Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 4. Her other season totals include 122.0 points, 64 kills, 32 service aces, 179 digs and 50 blocks (two solo). She is currently second in the CAA in total assists and ranks third in assists per set (9.43).

"This was Haylie's first year being able to focus primarily on running our offense since she did not have to fill a dual role as a setter-hitter," added Tendler. "She has really embraced the setter role and has done a great job of getting all of her hitters involved while making good decisions. Haylie has also been able to score points for us at the service line and at the net. Her leadership in this position has been invaluable to the team this year."

This marks the third season in a row that Daniel has been named to the All-CAA First Team. A native of Zionsville, Ind., she scored double-digit kills in 23-of-26 matches and led the maroon and gold with 369 kills and 401 points. She added seven assists, 13 aces, 114 digs and 37 blocks (one solo) to her totals. A two-time CAA Offensive Player of the Week, she leads the league in total kills and is second in kills per set (4.01). She has also been climbing the program's all-time kills leaders list and is currently eighth with 1,218 career kills.

"Leah has been incredible," commented Tendler. "She has played every match with our opponents focused on slowing her down, and still she finished with the highest conference-only hitting percentage of all outside hitters in the CAA. She has handled the pressure very well, staying confident and finding new ways to score. Leah keeps getting better!"

A middle blocker from Furlong, Pa., Krzeminski led Elon at the net with 110 blocks (15 solo) this season. She was also second on the team in points (244.5) and added 153 kills, seven assists, 29 aces and 61 digs to her totals. Krzeminski ranks second in the league in hitting percentage (.362), is third in blocks per set (1.21) and earned CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors on Nov. 8.

"Jenn's accomplishment of leading the CAA in conference-only hitting percentage and being fourth in blocks is fully attributed to how hard she works every day im practice to get better," Tendler said. "There is no doubt in my mind that she will keep taking her game to higher levels, and we look forward to seeing her build on this season's success."

An outside hitter from Chesapeake, Va., Love finished second on the team this season with 217 kills and was third in scoring with 237.5 points. The true freshman reached double-digit kills 10 times, including a stretch of four-straight matches, and was named CAA Rookie of the Week on Oct. 18. Her other season totals include two assists, 60 digs and 38 blocks (three solo).

"Sydney has been incredibly steady and confident this season, which is amazing to see in a first-year player," continued Tendler. "She absorbs information readily and is quick to make technical and tactical changes. Sydney has already taken on a big role for our team, and it will be fun to see what's in store for her in the future."

Tendler led the Phoenix to an 11-5 conference record, the program's best mark since joining the CAA. Elon also won its first five CAA matches, its best start to conference play in its NCAA Division I history, and earned series sweeps over four league opponents. The team's 16 wins are also its most since the 2017 season. As a team, the Phoenix finished the regular season ranked second in hitting percentage (.250), third in kills per set (12.42), and fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.195), assists per set (11.38) and blocks per set (2.18). This marks the first time Tendler has been named CAA Coach of the Year and the second time she has been awarded Coach of the Year in her time leading the Phoenix. She was tabbed the 2010 SoCon Coach of the Year after Elon went 24-14 overall and 11-5 in conference play en route to the program's first SoCon North Division title. 

"I was very surprised and humbled to be awarded Coach of the Year by my peers," reflected Tendler. "I give lots of credit to and share this award with my staff, who are all amazing people and are dedicated to giving our student-athletes the best possible experience."

The Phoenix secured a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed for this week's CAA Championship Tournament, to be hosted at Towson's SECU Arena this Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 18-20. Elon awaits the winner of Thursday's quarterfinal match between third-seeded College of Charleston and sixth-seeded Hofstra. Friday's semifinal is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start and will be streamed on FloVolleyball.

2021 CAA Volleyball Postseason Awards
First Team
Fay Bakodimou, Towson
Julia Brown, William & Mary
Leah Daniel, Elon
Sophia Davis, James Madison
Emily Jarome, Towson
Lani Mason, Delaware
Ana Martinovic, Hofstra
Lexi Wierzbicki, Charleston
Miëtte Veldman, James Madison

Second Team
Beatriz Alves, Hofstra
Ezgi Basaranlar, Delaware
Nina Cajic, Towson
Haylie Clark, Elon
Chiara Cucco, Hofstra
Nailah Jenkins, Northeastern
Jenn Krzeminski, Elon
Lauryn Richardson, Delaware
Erica Staunton, Northeastern

2021 CAA Player of the Year: Miëtte Veldman, James Madison
2021 CAA Setter of the Year: Haylie Clark, Elon
2021 CAA Libero of the Year: Chiara Cucco, Hofstra
2021 CAA Rookie of the Year: Beatriz Alves, Hofstra
2021 CAA Coach of the Year: Mary Tendler, Elon

All-Rookie Team
Beatriz Alves, Hofstra
Chiara Cucco, Hofstra
Jessica Frannea, Northeastern
Jasmin Goei, Charleston
Sydney Love, Elon
Florencia Wolkowyski, Hofstra