Nov. 24, 2009
San Bruno, Calif. - University of San Diego junior right side Ali Troost was awarded the West Coast Conference Player of the Year award for the Toreros, who have now taken home the award three out of the last four years. Along with Troost, three other Toreros earned All-WCC accolades with senior middle hitter Torey Ellick joining Troost on the All-WCC first team, junior setter Kelsi Myers being selected as an All-WCC honorable mention and freshman outside hitter Carrie Baird was named to the All-WCC freshman team.
Troost led the team in kills with 357 on the season, while hitting .316 and also had a league leading 39 service aces. A WCC Co-Player of the Month in September, her 34 kills in a match against Santa Clara tied the league match-high for a five-set match and ties her for fourth in USD single-match history for kills. This also marks Troost's second consecutive appearance on the all-conference first team.
Ellick had a solid senior campaign as she was second on the team in kills with 274, while hitting at a .370 clip and leading the team in blocks with 60. Ellick took home one WCC Player of the Week award after recording 33 kills, hitting for a .482 clip and recording seven blocks en route to helping USD record a pair of wins over Santa Clara and San Francisco. This is her second All-WCC accolade of her career, as she was named honorable mention as a sophomore.
Myers had a break-out type season, as she burst onto the scene as USD's starting setter and has proven to he one of nations best setters with a WCC-leading 11.91 assists per set, which ranks her seventh nationally. She also ranks third on the team in digs with 180. Myers took home one WCC Player of the Week award as she recorded a double-double with 53 assists and 14 digs in the win over Saint Mary's, breaking the Gaels' five-match win and at the time moving the Toreros into a tie for first place in the WCC.
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Baird had an impressive freshman campaign, as she was force into a stating role due to a rash of USD injuries. In this role she flourished, becoming a go-to hitter midway through conference action. On the season, Baird recorded 157 kills and hit at a .231 clip. In WCC matches, she recorded 108 kills and hit for a .264 clip.
Troost, Ellick, Myers, Baird and the rest of the Toreros will be awaiting the NCAA selection show on Sunday at noon to learn if they have earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament this season.
