Posted November 25, 2006

Scorpion libero Joanna Knight was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the NAIA Region VI for 2006.

Knight, who is from Denton, Texas, was also named to the first team of the All-Region VI team. Middle blocker Greta Billerbeck and outside hitter Katie Japp were named to the second team.

Knight led the region in digs with 824 in 116 games played for a 7.1 DPG average. She received the defensive honor also for her efficiency passing the volleyball after an opponent attack. Out of 670 total passing attempts, she committed only 29 passing errors for a 95.7% average.

Billerbeck, who came to UTB/TSC from Radcliffe, Iowa, led the Scorpions in hitting efficiency with a .235 average on 308 kills out of 737 attempts with 135 errors, averaging 2.73 kills per game in 113 games. She also led the Scorpions in total blocks with 171, an average of 1.51 BPG.

Japp, who came from Omaha, Nebraska, was strong both at the net and in the backcourt. She had 391 kills with 176 errors, averaging 2.92 kills per game in 134 games. She also had 91 blocks and 515 digs, averaging 3.84 digs per game.  Japp had 1,330 swings on the all -- most on the team.

Knight, Billerbeck, and Japp are all juniors.

Lauren Bayer

Besides the postseason honors for Knight, Billerbeck, and Japp, the Scorpions also landed two players on the Region VI All-Tournament team -- Billerbeck and Lauren Bayer.

The Scorpions advanced to the regional semifinals before falling to eventual tournament champion and national tournament qualifier Houston Baptist on November 18. UTB/TSC split the first two games with HBU and led in the third game, 27-26, before falling in that third game and losing the fourth.

Billerbeck and Bayer, a freshman from San Antonio, had impressive showings at the tournament to earn the all-tournament awards.

In their first season in the NAIA, the Scorpions finished the regular season with a 27-12 record and the Red River Athletic Conference season with a 10-1 record, good for second place in the league.