NEW YORK – Melody Davidson and Brooke Gregory were named to the 2019 All-BIG EAST Team. Davidson ranked second among her peers in blocks per set (1.17) and Gregory came in at seventh (0.94). The teammate middle blockers were instrumental to the team's success in 2019 which included an 11-7 record against BIG EAST opponents.
 
Top honors went to Marquette's Allie Barber she was recognized as the BIG EAST Player of the Year, but all other major awards were handed out to Creighton Bluejays. Brittany Witt earned Libero of the Year honors and Keeley Davis was named Freshman of the Year. Kirsten Bernthal Booth helped CU win Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
Davidson and Gregory were two of just six middle blockers to earn postseason honors. Davidson posted 134 total blocks and 215 kills over 115 sets. Gregory had similar numbers with 108 total blocks and 283 kills.

"I'm thrilled to see these two players recognized by the BIG EAST coaches," Head Coach Sharon Clark stated. "Our middle blockers were the lifeblood of our offense all season. They were extremely difficult for teams to stop and they carried us to many wins. Mel and Brooke are cream of the crop in the BIG EAST as hitters and blockers. The fact that they are both outstanding students as well speaks volumes as to who we are at Butler. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to coach them."
 
Davidson recorded 10 or more kills in nine matches. Her season-high total of 13 came on the road at DePaul (11/1). Her impact was felt on each side of the net as the redshirt-sophomore also posted 5+ blocks in 16 matches. Her top defensive effort included 11 blocks vs. DePaul (10/2).

"Mel's athleticism is off the charts," Clark added. "She closes the block so quickly and is a high flyer offensively."
 
Gregory posted 10+ kills in 16 matches. Her season-high kill total of 15 was reached four times this year. Gregory hit over .500 in three of those four outings. She claimed 15 kills at Providence, at Georgetown, at home vs. Belmont and early in the season at Auburn. On the other side of the net, Gregory tallied a season-best eight blocks in two different matches. She led BU in the category vs. Western Michigan and again vs. the Red Storm.

"Brooke did a marvelous job in the middle for us," Clark explained. "Her versatility in hitting multi-tempo sets was a huge plus for us. She was a seasoned veteran and commanded respect."
 
2019 BIG EAST Volleyball Regular Season Awards
BIG EAST Player of the Year
Allie Barber, Marquette, Sr., OH ^
 
BIG EAST Libero of the Year
Brittany Witt, Creighton, Sr., L
 
BIG EAST Freshman of the Year
Keeley Davis, Creighton, Fr., OH ^
 
Coaching Staff of the Year
Creighton (Head Coach: Kirsten Bernthal Booth)
 
All-BIG EAST Team
(listed alphabetically by institution, then last name)
Melody Davidson, Butler, So., MB
Brooke Gregory, Butler, Sr., MB
Megan Ballenger, Creighton, Sr., MB ^
Madelyn Cole, Creighton, Sr., S ^
Keeley Davis, Creighton, Fr., OH
Brittany Witt, Creighton, Sr., L ^
Jaela Zimmerman, Creighton, So., OH
Donna Brown, DePaul, So., MB
Brittany Maxwell, DePaul, Sr., OH ^
Allie Barber, Marquette, Sr., OH ^
Martha Konovodoff, Marquette, Jr., L
Hope Werch, Marquette, Jr., OH
Efrosini Alexakou, St. John's, So., OH ^
Erica Di Maulo, St. John's, Sr., S ^
Rachele Rastelli, St. John's, So., RS ^
Emma Decker, Villanova, Sr., S
Sophia Howling, Villanova, So., MB
Allie Olsonoski, Villanova, Sr., MB
 
All-BIG EAST Freshman Team
Keeley Davis, Creighton, Fr., OH ^
Peyton Wilhite, Georgetown, Fr., RS
Hannah Vanden Berg, Marquette, Fr., OH ^
Jennifer Leitman, Providence, Fr., OH
Kathleen Johnson, Villanova, Fr., RS
Lauren Hanlon, Xavier, Fr., RS
 
^ - denotes unanimous selection