CONWAY, Ark. – After locking up the ASUN's No. 3 seed, the Central Arkansas volleyball team was awarded a plethora of postseason awards from the league. In all, the Sugar Bears claimed five spots on All-Conference teams and two superlatives, both high marks since joining the ASUN.
 
The success of the team starts at the top, and head coach John Newberry was rewarded with the ASUN Coach of the Year award after leading his team to the biggest turnaround in the ASUN this season, going 13-3 to finish among the ASUN's top tier. The Sugar Bears, after starting the year with a tough non-conference slate, turned it around at the start of the conference season and rattled off eight-straight to start ASUN play, holding the league's number one spot for more than half of the conference season.
 
"I couldn't be more thrilled for the awards earned for the program. These young ladies deserve every bit of it. I'm extremely honored and grateful for the awards given to this program." Newberry said.
 
Caylan Koons, who was one of two ASUN setters to log 1,000 assists this season, was named not just a Second Team All-ASUN player, but was named the ASUN Setter of the Year, picking up the Sugar Bears' first postseason superlative in ASUN history. The junior led the ASUN with 10.14 assists per set, the only ASUN player to log double-digit assists a set. She also added ten double-doubles, logging 230 digs. Koons breached both the 2,000 and 3,000 assist mark this season, and averages over 1,000 per season now three years into her collegiate career.
 
"Caylan has been an incredible asset to the success of this program. She understands the game at a high level and is able to make changes at any given moment. She is the most coachable athlete I've ever had. Even more important than that, she is highly respected on the team because of her character and her faith." – Coach Newberry
 
Making the First Team All-ASUN, Laci Bohannan led a Sugar Bear attack that ranked third in the ASUN in team kills per set with 13.17. The redshirt sophomore contributed 3.78 on her own, which ranked fourth in the ASUN. Her ability to impact a game with her relentless attacking can flip a set or match on its head, and out of 23 matches, she had double-digit kills in 19 of them, with three games of 20-plus kills.
 
"Laci came in with a high level of confidence and determination to do everything she can to be a force to be reckoned with in this conference. She has faced a lot of adversity throughout the years and has continued to persevere. Her fast arm and athleticism have been hard for people to stop this year." – Coach Newberry
 
Also on the Second Team with Koons were libero Alexis McDaniel and outside hitter Mackenzie Vernon. McDaniel led the Sugar Bears in digs for a third-straight season, breaking the 1,000 dig mark this season. Racking up a career-high 445, she ranked fifth in the conference in total digs and sixth in digs per set with 4.32. She had double-digit digs in all but six matches, and had ten games of 20-plus digs.
 
"Alexis has been tenacious throughout the season, and has really given us an identity on the defensive side of the ball. She has always accepted every challenge and worked hard for everything that she does. She is a strong voice on the court and adds so much to the back row that can't be put into words." – Coach Newberry
 
Vernon, known for her cannon of an arm, was named to the Second Team after finishing the regular season one of two hitters to log 190 or more kills on .310 hitting or better. Overall, she finished second on the team with 289 kills, 315.5 points, and was third on the Sugar Bears with 48.0 blocks. The San Antonio native had 14 matches with double-digit kills, including four matches of 20-plus.
 
"Mackenzie has been a big motivational piece throughout the year. She has honed in on what it takes for her to be successful in her three-rotation position. Her growth over the last four years has been crucial to our success. Everyone is aware of Mackenzie's power with her swing. She's always been able to have a heavy arm. Her consistent efficiency has helped her earn this award." – Coach Newberry.
 
Regan Harp entered the season with a lot of fanfare, and as her freshman season went on, she grew into those expectations, earning herself a spot on the All-Freshman Team. One of two unanimous selections, Harp proved to be one of those do-it-all type players, compiling 234 kills, 213 digs, 29.0 blocks and 23 aces. Her ability to impact the game in a number of ways showed through in her six double-doubles.
 
"Regan has been able to have tremendous growth throughout the season. It's very difficult to come in as a highly talented freshman and live up to the standards of what people expect. She has done just that.  She improved from week to week and month to month and has learned how to compete in this high-level volleyball conference." – Coach Newberry.
 
The Sugar Bears earned a program-high for All-ASUN spots, and now take these talented players to the ASUN Championship, starting Thursday. Central Arkansas will open the Championship with a quarterfinal match against North Florida, with first serve at 9 a.m. CT.