Gray and Gonzalez Selected to All-Conference Teams

Daytona Beach, Fla. – With the 2017 season in the books, the Lake-Sumter State College volleyball team had two players selected to All-Conference teams.

Freshman outside hitter, Emma Gray, boasted a stellar rookie campaign capped off by a First Team All Mid-Florida selection Monday. The pride of Fruitland Park led her team with 212 total kills, averaging 2.68 per set. Both stats placed Gray in the top 15 in Region 8. Gray was no slouch on defense, pulling out over 220 digs on the year and playing all but four sets during her first collegiate season.

Finishing the year ranked seventh in the nation in digs per set (5.51), Taysha Gonzalez earned Second Team All Mid-Florida accolades. Gonzalez, a defensive specialist, played that role to perfection during her first fall at Lake-Sumter. Her 457 digs were first in the conference and Region 8 and seventh in the nation. Gonzalez was a 4x member of the 25 dig club reaching 30+ digs three times this season.

"I am extremely proud of Emma and Taysha," said Head Coach, Amanda Phelps. "They are both very deserving of this honor. Both had a major impact not only in their overall numbers, but as successful teammates as well."

The team's final record was 6-17, but make no mistake about it, volleyball at LSSC is on the rise. Two wins over perennial nationally ranked programs highlighted the season. The first win came back in mid-September when the Lakehawks knocked off Santa Fe. Prior to the victory, Lake-Sumter had never won a set against the Saints. Fast forward to the end of the season, the No. 17 Central Florida Patriots were upset by Coach Phelps' squad in five sets.

"I don't think our overall record directly reflects the work that this group of athletes has put in," said Phelps. "We took some sets from very good teams and had a couple big wins. I'm very proud of everyone on this team." The Lakehawks boasted an extremely tough schedule featuring six programs ranked top 20 in the country. LSSC finished the season on a high note, winning the final 3 out of 4 matches.