LeGrand And Gallagher Named SLIAC Coach And Newcomer Of The Year, Fitzgerald And Werner Also Honored

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) released the 2021 All-Conference Team today and the Griffins came away big winners.

Head Coach Ryan LeGrand was named Co-Coach of the Year, Hannah Gallagher was named Newcomer of the Year and earned SLIAC First Team honors. She was joined by Jadyn Fitzgerald on the First Team, while Ella Werner collected All-Sportsmanship Team honors.

This is LeGrand's first Coach of the Year honor at the helm of the women's program. He's the third coach in program history to win with Bob Hebrank winning in 1992 and Kim Kutis taking home the award twice in 2000 and 2001.

LeGrand led Fontbonne to an 8-8 record overall and 7-6 in conference play. It's the first winning record for Fontbonne in SLIAC play since 2015 and .500 or better overall record since 2005. The teams win over Spalding in the SLIAC Tournament was its first since 2005 and its first appearance since 2015.

Gallagher is the third player in program history to win SLIAC Newcomer of the Year. She joins Julie Bucholz (1992) and Nicole Moyer (2001).

The St. Peters, Mo., native, had quite the first year at Fontbonne totaling 189 kills in 16 matches, a .168 hitting percentage, and ranked second on the team with 172 digs. She also recorded seven double-doubles on the year. Nationally, she ranked fifth in kills and 33^rd in hitting percentage.

In conference play, she ranked first in points (188), first in kills per set (3.63), second in kills (167), and fifth in total attacks (438).   

Fitzgerald also had an outstanding first season with Fontbonne leading the team and the SLIAC in both kills (214) and kills per set (3.75). On the defensive side of the net, she finished with 155 digs. She came away with eight double-doubles as well. Nationally, Fitzgerald ranked third in kills and 31^st in hitting percentage.

In SLIAC play, Fitzgerald ranked second in kills per set (3.52), second in total attacks (470), third in kills (162), third in points per set (3.9), and fourth in points (181).

It's the first time since 2005 more than one Fontbonne player has made the SLIAC All-Conference First Team.

Werner ended the season ranking third in the SLIAC with 8.36 assists per set. She recorded three double-doubles on the season, including a 40 assist and 22 dig performance in a four-set win at Webster. She set a season-high 43 assists against Iowa Wesleyan on March 13^th.

To view the entire SLIAC All-Conference Team visit HERE.

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates on the women's volleyball team.

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