FRISCO, Texas – Chase Jackson and Bethany Clapp were named Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-Conference, respectively, by the Southland Conference on Tuesday as the University of the Incarnate Word prepares for its first postseason appearance since joining the league.
"I am extremely proud of the hard work both Chase and Bethany have put into this program," said head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas.
Jackson, a transfer from Wichita State joined the Cardinals back in 2019 but was finally able to make her debut in the red and black jersey this spring. The redshirt senior played in 44 sets this season, with an attack percentage of .174, notching 101 kills, two service aces and 20 digs.
"Chase is so deserving of newcomer of the year after not being able to play for almost two years due to NCAA transfer restrictions and COVID-19 pushing back another season for her," Dabbs Thomas said.
"From the moment Chase transferred to us from Wichita State I knew she was going to become an impact player. It has been so fun to watch her grow and become a big-time player."
This marks the second time Clapp receives first-team recognition, the first time being in 2018 when she was also named freshman of the year. Only one other Cardinal has earned first-team honors, Autumn Lockley, who earned it in 2015 and 2016.
Clapp has recorded 793 career kills through three seasons as a Cardinals. She has led the team every game this season averaging 4.02 kills per set, ranking third in the league. Her 29 kills in the match against Abilene Christian were a single-game league best.
"Bethany is the total package," said Dabbs. "This kid does it all on the court and carries a heavy load for this team, she leads by example and makes big-time plays for us when we need it."
"This is her third season with me and once again the growth she has shown has been huge. I am very proud of her and she is most deserving of first team."
UIW (6-8, 5-6 overall) is set to compete in the Southland Conference Tournament for the first time in program history. They go in as the No. 8 seed taking on the No. 5 seed Houston Baptist in Corpus, Christi on Wednesday, March 31 inside the Dugan Wellness Center.
"I am very proud of this team after having such a rollercoaster of a year to come this far and work our way back into the mix as the eighth seed. This week will be a lot of fun."
Player of the Year: Ashley Lewis, Sam Houston
Freshman of the Year: Kailin Newsome, Southeastern Louisiana
Newcomer of the Year: Chase Jackson, UIW
Libero of the Year: Carissa Barnes, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Setter of the Year: Faith Panhans, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Coach of the Year: Jeremy White, Southeastern Louisiana
All-Conference First Team
|
Name
|
Cl.
|
Pos.
|
School
|
Hometown
|
|
Kate Mueller
|
Sr.
|
OH
|
Abilene Christian
|
Sugar Land, Texas
|
|
Bethany Clapp
|
Jr.
|
OH
|
UIW
|
Corpus Christi, Texas
|
|
Ashley Lewis2
|
Sr.
|
OH/RS
|
Sam Houston
|
Houston, Texas
|
|
Kailin Newsome
|
Fr.
|
OH
|
Southeastern Louisiana
|
Houston, Texas
|
|
Taya Mitchell2
|
Sr.
|
MB
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
Rowlett, Texas
|
|
Carissa Barnes2
|
So.
|
L
|
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
|
Weatherford, Texas
|
|
Faith Panhans
|
So.
|
S
|
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
|
Plano, Texas
|
All-Conference Second Team
|
Name
|
Cl.
|
Pos.
|
School
|
Hometown
|
|
Jada Allen
|
Jr.
|
MB
|
Houston Baptist
|
Desoto, Texas
|
|
Mikayla Vivens3
|
Sr.
|
OH
|
Houston Baptist
|
San Antonio, Texas
|
|
Morgan Janda
|
So.
|
S
|
Sam Houston
|
Katy, Texas
|
|
Maddie Miller2
|
Sr.
|
DS/L
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
Lorena, Texas
|
|
Leah Powell
|
Fr.
|
OH
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
Copperas Cove, Texas
|
|
Chloe Simon
|
Sr.
|
OH
|
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
|
Katy, Texas
|
|
Rachel Young2
|
Jr.
|
MB
|
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
|
Frisco, Texas
|
All-Conference Third Team
|
Name
|
Cl.
|
Pos.
|
School
|
Hometown
|
|
Emily Doss2
|
Sr.
|
DS/L
|
Central Arkansas
|
Springdale, Ark.
|
|
Bailey Waddington
|
Sr.
|
S
|
Central Arkansas
|
San Angelo, Texas
|
|
Ebonie Ballesteros
|
Jr.
|
MB
|
Houston Baptist
|
El Paso, Texas
|
|
Ellie Wipf
|
So.
|
S
|
Houston Baptist
|
New Braunfels, Texas
|
|
Regan Stiawalt
|
Jr.
|
OH
|
McNeese
|
Ness City, Kan.
|
|
Shelby Pullins
|
R-Sr.
|
MB
|
New Orleans
|
Detroit, Mich.
|
|
Crispin Adams
|
So.
|
MB
|
Southeastern Louisiana
|
Brookshire, Texas
|
2 – Two-Time Selection
3 – Three-Time Selection
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
For all tournament info please click HERE.
All games are set to be streamed on ESPN+.
Live stats can be found HERE.
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