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December 12 , 2005
Volleyball standout Rose makes name for herself

Douglas Blair is Emory sports information director.

Emory College junior and volleyball standout Courtney Rose made history this season when she was named the 2005 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Div. III National Player of the Year. This marked the first time in Eagle volleyball history that one of its players received such a prestigious award.

Head coach Jenny McDowell was proud of her star player for what she has accomplished this season.

“We are thrilled for Courtney that she was chosen AVCA National Player of the Year,” McDowell said. “This is a great tribute to her and the entire Emory volleyball program. Courtney is an extremely talented player, but what sets her apart from the rest is her competitive spirit; she is without a doubt the greatest competitor I have had the privilege of coaching.”

Rose also claimed University Athletic Association (UAA) Player of the Year honors, as well as first team All-Conference. She was named to the NCAA Div. III South Region team, and is up for Div. III Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

Rose turned in 20 double-digit kill matches, including a season-high 22 kills versus Austin College in the NCAA Div. III Tournament South Regional final. She has added 14 double-doubles (kills-digs) in 2005, including an 18-kill, 26-dig effort against Div. II fourth-ranked North Alabama.

She also helped guide Emory to the UAA conference championship with a 3-0 sweep of then-unbeaten and top-ranked Washington University. This year vollyball marked the Eagles’ first conference championship.

For the season, Rose compiled 366 kills, averaging 3.89 per game while also leading the team in service aces with 52. Finally, she finished the season solid on the defensive end with 334 digs.

Individual awards were no stranger to Rose throughout the season; she was named to five all-tournament teams, while helping lead the Eagles to five tournament titles.

Since Rose stepped on campus as a freshman in 2003, Emory has appeared in three national quarterfinals and one national semifinal. As she returns next year for her senior season, the Eagles will look to her for leadership as she and her teammates reach for the ultimate goal: a national championship.

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