Sandhills Community College's second-year volleyball program and first-year coach Alicia Hill have received some high praise since the season ended.

Said Central Carolina Community College coach Bill Carter after casting a vote for Hill for Region X Coach of the Year, according to published reports, "I would like to commend the professionalism displayed on and off the court by Hill and her players. I believe Hill deserves to be recognized as a top professional coach in our region."

The vote ended in a three-way tie between Hill, Carter and Davidson Community College coach Kevin Hammond, and the Lady Flyers, who went 7-10 this season and finished second in their conference, had three players named Honorable Mention All-Region in Amber Otkin, Sarah Thomas and Stephanie Powell.

"I think overall the girls have improved tremendously," said Hill. "I am very proud of each and every one of the girls for their dedication and commitment to the team. I couldn't ask for a better first year at Sandhills Community College."

Otkin played in 14 of 17 games this season and served as team captain along with fellow sophomore Brittney Karshner. A native of Minnesota, Otkin played middle hitter and averaged 5.8 kills, 8.4 digs, 1.3 aces and 0.5 assists per game. In total she had 99 kills, 22 aces, 142 digs, nine assists and 16 blocks.

Thomas, a freshman outside hitter from Sanford, played in all 17 games this season, averaging 6.9 kills, 7.6 digs, 1.6 aces and 0.4 assists per contest. In total she had 118 kills, 28 aces, 129 digs, seven assists and 10 blocks.

Powell, also a freshman outside hitter, played in all 17 games this season, averaging 5.9 kills, 8.9 digs, 0.9 aces and 1.2 assist. In total the Fairmont native had 101 kills, 151 digs, 16 aces, 20 assists and 10 blocks.

A 2003 graduate of North Moore, where she starred in volleyball and softball, Hill took over the volleyball program at SCC just months prior to the season. She played volleyball collegiately at UNC Pembroke.