UCF Press Release

November 21, 2002

MACON, Ga. - Junior outside hitter Leyre Santaella Sante was named the Atlantic Sun Player-of-the-Year and three other UCF players garnered A-Sun accolades Wednesday by the conference office. Joining Santaella Sante on the A-Sun First Team was junior setter Jenny Frank while freshman middle blocker Chaz Arah and freshman outside hitter/right side Emily Watts were named to the A-Sun All-Freshman Team.

Santaella Sante is the fifth player in school history to earn the award, joining former UCF standouts Emily Bridson (1993), Emily Queissner (1995), Renata Menchikova (1996) and Tyra Harper (1997).

"Leyre is a great athlete and she consistently put up great numbers for us this year," stated head coach Meg Colado. "It is a great honor for her."

The Puerto Rico native is in the midst of an outstanding season in leading UCF to a share of the regular season conference title. She leads UCF and ranks second in the conference in kills (540) and service aces (50) while also earning three A-Sun Player-of-the-Week honors during the season.

A 2001 First Team All-Sun selection, Santaella Sante also became just the seventh UCF player to be named to the A-Sun First Team more than once during their career. In addition, Santaella Sante was the 2001 A-Sun Championship MVP and a 2000 A-Sun All-Freshman pick.

Frank also garnered a spot on the first team, making UCF one of only two schools to place two players on the first team. The Colorado Springs native had a brilliant regular season in which she could have also garnered the conference player-of-the-year honor. Frank led the A-Sun in assists (1463) while also ranking fourth in the conference in hitting percentage (.333).

"Jenny has done an outstanding job for us this year," commented Colado. "She has such a great work ethic and she led our team all year."

Frank was a Second Team All-A-Sun selection last season and a member of the A-Sun All-Tournament team.

Arah and Watts became the fourth and fifth players respectively under Colado that have been named to the A-Sun All-Freshman team. Arah has been strong all season long in the middle for the Golden Knights, ranking second on the team in total blocks (81).

Watts has been one of the team's most versatile players, filling roles at setter, outside hitter and right side this season. The Wichita, Kansas native ranks second on the team in assists (102) and also led UCF in kills over the team's final two matches of the regular season.

"You would never know that Emily and Chaz were freshmen," added Colado. "We have asked both of them to come in and not only play for us, but to start and produce. They have accepted their roles and have done a great job in their first year."

UCF returns to action this Friday at the A-Sun Championships at the UCF Arena. The No. 1 seeded Golden Knights open play Friday at 5 p.m. vs. the winner of No. 4 Jacksonville and No. 5 Jacksonville State.   
 

Return to Home