NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. - The Little East Conference office announced its annual major award winners and all-conference teams this afternoon after a vote by the league's seven volleyball head coaches. University of Massachusetts Boston and Keene State College each earned two of the major awards. Beacons' junior Kate McWhorter (Bakersville, Calif.) was named the Little East Conference Offensive Player of the Year, while freshman Cassy Hanneman (Denver, Colo.) was selected the Little East Conference Rookie of the Year. The Owls setter defensive specialist Sarah Peterson (Dayville, N.H.) was chosen as the Little East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while Bob Weiner was tabbed the Coach of the Year.

McWhorter, a junior transfer from California State University Bakersfield, sat atop the conference standings in kills (493), while ranking third in hitting percentage (.364) and sixth in service aces (43). The All-Little East first-team selection set a program record for hitting percentage and kills. A starter in all 33 matches, McWhorter reached double digits in kills in all but four contests, while collecting at least 14 winners 24 times. She recorded a season-best 24 kills against Keene State College in the Little East Conference Tournament Championship on Nov. 8. McWhorter was named the Little East Conference Offensive Player of the Week four times on the campaign.

Peterson became the second Keene State College student-athlete to be recognized as the best defensive player in the conference. The two-time All-Little East pick led the league in digs with 740, putting 152 between her closest competitor. She registered at least 20 digs in 15 matches, including two outings with 30-plus digs. Peterson dug out a season-best 33 attempted winners against the University of New England. She was honored at the Little East Conference Defensive Player of the Week three times on the season.

Hanneman made an immediate impact in the Beacons' starting lineup, earning All-Little East second-team recognition. The Denver, Colo. product eclipsed the 1,000-assist barrier to set the program's single-season record with 1,063. She averaged 9.09 assists per set to rank third in the conference standings. Hanneman handed out at least 20 helpers in all but one match, including a season-best 46 against Keene State on Nov. 8. She was named to Salem State Invitational Most Valuable Player, while earning a spot on the Virginia Wesleyan Wingate Invitational and Plymouth State Days of Campton Inn All-Tournament teams, respectively. Hanneman was tabbed the Little East Conference Rookie of the Week in five of the nine award programs.

Weiner guided the Owls to their second-straight Little East Conference undefeated season to earn the No. 1 seed in the annual conference tournament. Keene State established a new program record for single-season victories with a 28-9 overall record. Weiner led his charges to their first Little East Conference Tournament Championship and berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. He mentored four all-conference first-team members.

Keene State College earned four of the seven spots on the top-team as senior middle hitter Brittany O'Bryant, junior setter Jordan Pokryfki, and freshman outside hitter Bridget O'Bryant joined Peterson. Sophomore right-side hitter Nina Sullivan and McWhorter round out the UMass Boston contingent, while Western Connecticut State University junior middle blocker Rebecca Stein completes the first-team selections.

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.

2008 Little East All-Conference Teams

Offensive Player of the Year: Kate McWhorter, Junior, Outside Hitter, UMass Boston
Defensive Player of the Year: Sarah Peterson, Senior, Def. Specialist, Keene State College
Rookie of the Year: Cassy Hanneman, Freshman, Setter, UMass Boston
Coach of the Year: Bob Weiner, Keene State College