Cahill, Ly take top honors on All-Independents team

ORANGE, Calif. - Two-time All-America selection Linda Ly and Chapman University women's volleyball head coach Mary Cahill were recognized by the Association of Division III Independents last week. Ly, a senior libero, was named the All-Independents Player of the Year for 2009 and Cahill earned Coach of the Year honors for the first time in her career. Four other Panthers were also named to the All-Independents team - Chapman's most ever.

Ly becomes the second Chapman volleyball player to earn the award after leading the nation in digs per game (7.75) and breaking her own previous school record with 822 digs this season. Ly also set an NCAA Division III record with 56 digs in a four-set match against La Verne on Oct. 10. She was named to the AVCA All-America first team last month as well. She has earned All-Independent honors all four years of her career.

Cahill earned Coach of the Year honors by leading the Panthers to their first NCAA playoff appearance since 2005 and the most victories (18) in 15 years. Chapman finished 18-14 overall and won seven of its final nine matches to earn its postseason berth.

Senior OH Erin Leja and junior S Kat Kowalski earned second team honors. Leja rallied from a knee injury that forced her to miss 13 matches and led the Panthers with 2.91 kills per game. The senior finished with 186 kills and 182 digs this season in just 64 games. Meanwhile, Kowalski climbed to second on Chapman's all-time assists list with 1,077 assists this season, an average of 9.5 per game. Kowalski also set a new school record with 68 assists in a match against Redlands in October.

Sophomore MB Nalani Haviland earned honorable mention for leading the Panthers with 52 blocks this season and had a .203 hitting percentage with 167 kills. Senior Lyndsey Cargile was also named honorable mention after a team-best 277 kills in 2009.

For Cargile and Kowalski, it's their second All-Independents selection.  

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 14 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition, it will announce All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year.

More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at http://www.d3independents.org.