AAC's Top Team Set for Postseason Action After Receiving Yearly Awards

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – After yet another record-breaking campaign of both team and individual records, the Reinhardt volleyball team – who ended the 2019 regular season with 23 wins in-a-row – earned a trio of players on the All-Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) First Team.
 
Head coach Brian Goodhind was named the AAC Coach of the Year for the third-straight season, as he led the Eagles (29-2) to more history on the court with an AAC-record 21st league victory en route another perfect season in AAC play at 21-0.
 
Additionally, dating back to 2017, the hometown club has notched 56-consecutive conference wins – which currently ranks eighth nationally in NAIA history.
 
A big part of the Eagles' success was the play of the trio of Carlee Baxter, Tessa Colden and newcomer Shelby Glawson – who all earned nods to the first team list. Baxter, who plays in a 6-2 offense, has collected 613 assists heading into postseason competition. The senior has 231 digs on defense and a serving percentage of 92.7 with 34 aces.
 
Additionally, the Daytona Beach, Fla., native hit the 4,000-assist mark on Senior Night against Brenau (Ga.), on a dime to fellow senior Colden.
 
Colden, who has hit .317 to-date, also set a personal-best in the outing against the Golden Tigers by passing the 1,000-kill mark in an Eagle uniform in set two. The outside hitter brought home a team-high 229 kills in 31 matches played. She was also near the top on the defensive side of the net with 320 digs.
 
Not to be outdone, Glawson added 171 kills from the middle of the net and hit a cumulative total of .297 before postseason play begins. Defensively, she helped erase opposing shot opportunities with a total of 52 blocks.
 
The Eagles also placed a representative on the All-Freshman Team with Courtney Pressley, as she stormed onto the scene with 176 kills and a hitting percentage of .292 in 29 matches played in 2019 so far.
 
She also scooped up 52 defensive receptions and 19 total blocks.
 
Off the court, Ashlyn Carlton was the Eagles' Champions of Character representative.
 
Over 60 student-athletes made the All-Academic Team conference-wide. To view who made the grade as well as all of the awards, click here.
 
Reinhardt opens AAC Championship play on Thursday afternoon at Noon against Bluefield (Va.).
 
For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram.