Anderson, Philliber Give Bruins Two All-NWC Volleyball Honorees

Kati McGinn of Pacific Lutheran was the NWC Player of the Year, while Coach of the Year honors went to PLU’s Kevin Aoki.

Bruins middle blocker Elizabeth Anderson was named Second Team All-Northwest Conference.

NEWBERG - Middle blocker Elizabeth Anderson and outside hitter Karina Philliber of George Fox University have been given All-Northwest Conference accolades for their fine 2006 seasons, Anderson being named Second Team and Philliber receiving honorable mention, in voting by the conference’s nine coaches.

Anderson, a junior from Sherwood, Ore., and a three-year starter, led the conference in blocks (124) and blocks per game (1.22) and was 7th in hitting pct. (.248). She led the Bruins in total kills (272) and was 2nd in kills per game (2.67) and service aces (29). She also had 105 digs and 14 assists, and posted her first career triple-double with 13 kills, 10 digs, and 10 blocks against nationally-ranked Linfield College. She was a three-time nominee for NWC Player of the Week. She recorded career highs this year with 21 kills vs. Pacific Lutheran University, 13 digs vs. Pacific University, and 14 blocks vs. the State University of New York-Brockport.

In her career, Anderson has amassed 307 blocks, ranking 5th on the all-time list at George Fox. She is also closing in on the top 10 in career kills (674) and aces (63).

Philliber, a senior from Battle Ground, Wash., began the season as a libero and defensive specialist, but moved into the starting lineup at outside hitter early in conference play. Over her final 14 matches, she averaged 2.85 kills per game, with a career-high 22 in a match vs. Northwest Christian, and was 3rd on the team in total kills (181). She ranked in the top 10 in the conference in digs most of the season, ending with a team-leading 378 digs and 3.74 digs per game. Her career high was 27 digs at Willamette.

A transfer to George Fox last year after two years at Clark College, Philliber ended her Bruin career with 209 kills, 20 assists, 17 aces, 420 digs, and 24 blocks.

The Bruins, under 25-year veteran coach Steve Grant, compiled a 10-17 overall record in 2006 and finished in a three-way tie for 5th in the conference with Pacific and Whitworth College, all at 6-10. Linfield and Pacific Lutheran tied for the NWC championship, and both will represent the conference in the upcoming NCAA Division III National Tournament.

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