Jones Named AMCC Newcomer of the Year; Smith, Jones Selected All-Conference
Freshman outside hitter Cadence Jones was named the 2024 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Newcomer of the Year, while joining setter Brynne Smith on the All-Conference Team, announced on Tuesday.
ERIE, Pa. – Freshman outside hitter Cadence Jones (North East, PA/North East) was named the 2024 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Newcomer of the Year, while joining setter Brynne Smith (Butler, PA/Knoch) on the All-Conference Team, announced on Tuesday.
Jones landed on the First Team and Smith was selected to the Second Team after helping the Lions advance to the AMCC Semifinals and post a 6-2 conference record.
Jones, recently named to the AMCC All-Tournament Team, led the conference in kills (470), kills per set (4.05) and ranked ninth in NCAA Division III statistics in total kills. She also ranked first in overall points (552). Jones ranked second in attack percentage in conference matches (.310). She finished the season with 14 double-doubles, knocking down a season-best 23 kills against Hilbert and recording a season-high 24 digs vs. Utica. On Saturday, Jones broke the record for most kills in a season with 22 kills against Penn State Altoona in the conference semifinals.
Smith played in every match and set for the Lions. The starting setter ranked first in total assists with 815 and second in assists per set (7.03). Smith also averaged 2.03 digs per set. In conference play, she was first in assists (317) and second in assists per set (9.61). She led the conference in service aces (25) and total (58). Smith registered nine double-doubles this season, dishing out a season-best 48 assists in the regular-season finale against La Roche.