NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Boston senior outside hitter Kate McWhorter (Bakersfield, Calif.) and Plymouth State University senior middle hitter Eliza Badeau (Foster, R.I.) shared the offensive player of the year award this afternoon, when the 2009 Little East volleyball all-conference teams were announced. Western Connecticut sophomore defensive specialist Kelley Collins (Massapequa, N.Y.) was selected as the defensive player of the year, while Beacons’ freshman middle hitter Shannon Thompson (Moorpark, Calif.) was named the rookie of the year. Rhode Island College’s Luis Carvalho was tabbed the coach of the year, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth captured the inaugural team sportsmanship award.

McWhorter is just the third student-athlete in the history of the conference to earn at least a share of the top offensive player award and first since Plymouth State’s Becky Landry in 2002 and 2003. The two-time All-Little East, first-team selection ranked among the conference leaders in kills (2nd, 449), points (2nd, 4.64 ppg), hitting percentage (3rd, .396), and service aces (6th, 53)]. The senior outside hitter reached double figures in kills in 27 matches, including three with at least 20 winners. McWhorter smashed a season-best 23 kills in a five-set victory over Tufts University on Sept. 11. She also covered the entire court, registering 16 matches with at least 10 digs. McWhorter was named the most outstanding player of the 2009 Little East Volleyball Championship after averaging 17 kills and 13 digs in two matches.

Badeau is making her fourth consecutive appearance on the All-Little East teams, and first on the top team. The senior middle hitter from Foster, R.I. is just the fourth Panther to earn at least a share of the top offensive player award and first since Becky Ciulla in 2005. She sits atop the national individual standings in hitting percentage (.477), while ranking eight in kills per set (4.49). Badeau also leads the conference circuit in kills (467), and points per game (5.35). She posted double digits in kills in 29 of her 32 matches this season, including five matches with at least 20. Badeau spiked a season-high 27 kills on 44 attempts for a .545 hitting percentage against intra-state rival Keene State College on Oct. 6. She was also a force on the defensive side of the net, leading Plymouth State with 75 total blocks, including 48 block solos. Badeau was honored as the offensive player of the week four times on the campaign.

Collins is the fifth Western Connecticut volleyball player to be tabbed as the top defensive player in the Little East. The sophomore defensive specialist shattered the Colonials single-season record for digs with 721, putting an additional 176 between the previous record holder. She was the lone student-athlete in the conference to record at least 600 digs. Collins reached double figures in digs in every match, including 19 matches with at least 20. She was credited with a season-high 37 in a five-set victory over Westfield State College.

Thompson made an immediate impact in the UMass Boston starting lineup, earning All-Little East, first team honors. She is the second straight Beacon and third overall to be honored as the best rookie in the conference. The freshman from Moorpark, Calif. led the Little East in service aces (85), while ranking third in points (4.56 pgp), and fourth in hitting percentage (.351) and kills (3.39 kpg). Thompson recorded a season-high 24 kills in the championship match of the Little East Volleyball Tournament, marking the 23rd time on the campaign with at least 10 winners. She showcased a dominate serve in a five-set victory over MIT, registering a season-best seven aces. Thompson was selected as the rookie of the week in seven of the nine times the award was handed out by the conference office.

Carvalho is the first Anchorwoman boss to be selected as the coach of the year by his peers. In 2009, he guided the Anchorwomen to an overall record of 18-19, including a 3-4 mark in the Little East. Rhode Island College recorded 10 more victories than the 2008 squad with a lineup consisting of nine freshmen. The Anchorwomen earned the fifth seed in the Little East Volleyball Championship and upset fourth-seeded Keene State College, 3-2, in the first round to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2006. Carvalho also mentored the development of All-Little East, second-team honoree freshman outside hitter Breanna Boyer (West Greenwich, R.I.).

The Corsairs earned the conference’s first team sportsmanship award after completing the program’s most successful season in terms over victories in the past eight years, posting an overall record of 18-10, including a 1-6 mark in the Little East. Under the direction of Head Coach Steve DeRossi, UMass Dartmouth opened the 2009 schedule with a season-high seven match winning streak. The Corsairs defeated 12 of their opponents in straight sets, including a 3-0 victory over Southern Maine.

Initially formed in 1986 as a six-team men's and women's basketball conference, the Little East Conference has since grown to its present eight-school membership, sponsoring championship play in 19 intercollegiate athletics: baseball; men's and women's basketball; men's and women's cross country; field hockey; men's and women's lacrosse; men's and women's soccer; softball; women's swimming; men's and women's tennis; men's and women's indoor track; men's and women's outdoor track and women's volleyball.