Rowan, Foster, McArthur Highlight All-Conference Picks for Volleyball

By Press release submission

Nov 22, 2021

University of North Carolina Charlotte Athletics issued the following announcement on Nov. 18.

For their play during the 2021 season, a trio of Charlotte volleyball players have earned Conference USA All-Conference honors as voted on by the league's head coaches. Sydney Rowan, Emani' Foster and Amani McArthur all take home accolades for the second-straight season.

"It's another proud moment for Charlotte Athletics and 49er Volleyball," began Head Coach Karen Weatherington. "This team has risen above adversity to help highlight their teammates. We're proud the conference acknowledges the individual and team contributions this season."

FIRST TEAM FOR FINAL TIME

Rowan took home another first team honor after starting all 24 matches and playing all 87 sets. Rowan became the eighth player to hit 1,000 kills and digs at Chicago State taking home Windy City Tourney MVP honors, broke the school record for attacks in a career (4,903) and jumped to fourth all-time in kills at 1,533. The senior leads the team with 345 kills averaging 3.97/set which is seventh in C-USA. Rowan set a new career high with 31 kills vs. Marshall earning Player of the Week honors after averaging 6.50 kills/set, 6.88 pts/set and 3.88 digs/set vs. the Herd. Rowan smashed her career high with 24 digs at FIU while finishing second on the team with 252 digs (2.90/set) upping that to 3.22/set in league play. Rowan completed the regular season with double-digit kills in 10 of 12 league matches, 19 of 24 overall and had 10 matches with at-least 15. Her 4.48 pts/set with 390 total also led the way.

Coach K on the Senior

"Sydney puts a capstone on an illustrious career by being named first team. She is closing out a stellar season that has set the Gold Standard in volleyball history."

PAIR OF SECOND TEAMERS

Foster played in 63 sets this season battling through injury during the season, but still managed to put down 281 kills averaging 4.46/set which was fourth-best in C-USA despite missing time. Foster hit .309 with 127 kills in 27 league sets before injury (4.70/set). The sophomore recorded back-to-back 21-kill efforts at Chicago State and Elon, set new career high hitting .533 with 18 kills (18-2-30) vs. Florida Atlantic and finished the FAU weekend averaging 5.29 kills/set with 37 total, 2.57 digs/set digging 18 and 5.57 points/set with 39 total. Foster registered double-digit kills in 16 of 18 matches played, 15+ in 12 of 18 while adding 170 digs (2.70/set) with double digits in nine (all double-doubles) and scoring 314.5 points averaging 4.99/set.

McArthur played in all 24 matches and 87 sets leading Conference USA with 113 blocks, 28 solo averaging 1.31/set which also led C-USA and posted 46 in C-USA play averaging one/set. McArthur was named C-USA's Defensive Player of the Week after 24 blocks over three matches with at-least five in each while hitting .400 with 22 kills at the Windy City Classic. McArthur started the year with nine block assists and 11 total vs. NDSU. The junior set new career high hitting .667 twice (8-0-12) at ODU and new career high six digs in the win over Marshall. McArthur blocked at-least five in 12 of 24 matches recording multiple blocks in 22 of 24. On the offensive side, McArthur hit .363 on year (3rd in C-USA) with 155 kills (1.80/set), hit over .350 in 16 matches, notched at-least four kills in 20 of 24 and added 24 digs. Digs, kills and blocks all set new career highs for her season.

Weatherington on this Dynamic Duo

"We are ecstatic about the recognition of Emani' and Amani for second team honors. Emani's work in the early season put her amongst the league's best. Amani's consistent presence has been impactful for us all season."

OPENER ON FRIDAY

Charlotte opens tournament play vs. Rice on Friday afternoon starting at noon. ESPN+ will carry the action from Norfolk all weekend long.

C-USA AWARD WINNERS

Player of the Year

Lauren Matthews, WKU

Defensive Player of the Year

Lauren Matthews, WKU

Setter of the Year

Carly Graham, Rice

Libero of the Year

Marley Banton, Middle Tennessee

Freshman of the Year