LEXINGTON, Ky. – Elon University volleyball's Leah Daniel has earned East Coast All-Region honors, as announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on Tuesday, April 13.

The Zionsville, Ind. native was selected the CAA Player of the Year on April 2, adding First Team All-CAA honors for the second consecutive season. She became the first Phoenix to be named conference player of the year in the program's Division I history after leading the league in attacks per set (12.05), kills per set (4.43) and points per set (4.76) this spring. Through 10 matches started and 40 sets played, her season totals included 190.5 points, 177 kills, a .232 hit percentage, two assists, seven service aces, 90 digs, a .917 reception percentage and 13 blocks. Daniel turned in four double-doubles this season and was named the conference Player of the Week on March 22 after leading the maroon and gold on offense in wins over UNC Greensboro and Davidson.

Daniel also becomes the first student-athlete in program history to be named to the All-Region team. Susan Leonard was named the AVCA East Region Coach of the Year in 1992 when Elon was a member of the South Atlantic Conference. Coach Leonard's team posted a 30-2 record that year with a perfect 7-0 mark in the SAC as Elon captured the conference regular season title, an NAIA District 26 Tournament championship, and an NAIA Bi-District Tournament championship.

The AVCA is an organization of over 6,000 members, incorporated as a private non-profit educational corporation in 1981, that is headquartered in Lexington, Ky. Originally known as the Collegiate Volleyball Coaches Associations, the name was changed in 1986 to reflect the growing membership that included high school and club communities. The organization produces a number of publications as well as a weekly national poll for collegiate volleyball.

Spring 2021 AVCA East Coast Region Awards
First Team
Efrosini Alexakou, St. John's
Julia Bergmann, Georgia Tech
Mariana Brambilla, Georgia Tech
Mackenzie Cole, Duke
Leah Daniel, Elon
Elizaveta Lukianova, Miami (Fla.)
Kayla Lund, Pittsburgh
Caroline Meuth, Notre Dame
Chinaza Ndee, Pittsburgh
Charley Niego, Notre Dame
Rachele Rastelli, St. John's
Savannah Vach, Miami (Fla.)

Honorable Mention
Allison Barber, Providence College
Sarah Ciszek, Sacred Heart
Riley Coonan, Wofford
Matti McKissock, Georgia Tech
Chiamaka Nwokolo, Pittsburgh
Ade Owokoniran, Duke
Sabrina Starks, Pittsbirgh

Player of the Year: Kayla Lund, Pittsburgh
Freshman of the Year: Lindsey Miller, Notre Dame
Coach of the Year: Cristina Robertson, UMBC