North Gaston sweeps Big South volleyball awards

After rolling to its second straight Big South Conference volleyball title, North Gaston dominated the league’s postseason honors, taking both top awards.

Senior setter Carolyn Houser was selected player of the year and Janice James was chosen coach of the year by her peers, the Big South announced Wednesday. North Gaston also led the 16-player all-conference team with four selections.

Houser was a four-year varsity player who her coach considered the league’s best all-around performer.

“Carolyn Houser is the complete package,” James said. “She excels in every position and is a very smart player. She is well respected by her teammates, and they value her knowledge of the game.”

Houser was named team MVP in 2007 and 2008 and is now a three-time all-conference selection. She tallied 690 assists as a sophomore while running a 5-1 system as the team’s only setter. The past two seasons as the team’s primary setter in a 6-2 system, Houser had 327 and 338 assists, respectively.

Houser also emerged as the team’s top server, leading the Wildcats with 78 aces and serving at 91 percent. She ranked third on the team in kills as a right-side hitter. On defense, she accumulated 2.3 digs per game, which was second to the team’s libero. Another asset for the left-handed Houser is that she hits with her right hand almost equally, James said.

“She has been a great mentor to young players and continues to share her passion for the game,” James said. “She is leaving big shoes to fill but has prepared others for the task.”

Houser is drawing college recruiting interest but is early in the process of selecting a school.

Houser and James led the Wildcats to an 11-1 record in the Big South as North Gaston won back-to-back conference titles for the first time since winning four straight from 1977 to 1980. North Gaston teammates Caitlin Rubow, Olivia Denton and Carter Thomas joined Houser on the all-conference team.

Kings Mountain and Forestview, which tied for second, placed three each on the all-conference team. Hayley Hoyle, Tiara McClain and Sarah Fedyschyn represented Kings Mountain while Rachel Fort, Khadijah Joyner and Jessica Smith were the Forestview selections.

Fourth-place Crest (Katelyn Waters and Lou Bankhead) and fifth-place South Point (Caitlin Wilson and Taylor Houser) earned two spots each. Ashbrook’s Andreya O’Brien and Hunter Huss’ Monique Byrd rounded out the team.

Mustangs still alive

Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference champion East Lincoln is the last area team standing in the state volleyball playoffs. The Mustangs (24-2) advanced with a 3-0 rout of Piedmont on Tuesday, advancing to Thursday's third-round home meeting against East Davidson (14-11), the No. 2 seed out of the Central Carolina Conference.

Final Big South 3A volleyball standings

(Records include state playoffs)

                               Conf.               All

North Gaston         11-1          16-6

Kings Mountain       9-3           16-7

Forestview            9-3           13-10

Crest                    6-6           11-8

South Point           5-7             6-8

Ashbrook               2-10          4-13

Hunter Huss          0-12           3-13

Player of the year — Carolyn Houser, Sr., North Gaston

Coach of the year — Janice James, North Gaston

All-conference team

Carolyn Houser, NG

Caitlin Rubow, NG

Olivia Denton, NG

Carter Thomas, NG

Hayley Hoyle, KM

Tiara McClain, KM

Sarah Fedyschyn, KM

Rachel Fort, For

Khadijah Joyner, For

Jessica Smith, For

Katelyn Waters, Cr

Lou Bankhead, Cr

Caitlin Wilson, SP

Taylor Houser, SP

Andreya O’Brien, Ash

Monique Byrd, HH