The William and Mary women's volleyball team had two players earn all-conference honors Thursday night at the Colonial Athletic Association's pre-championship banquet, including the Tribe's first award-winner since 2009.

Freshman Dessi Koleva (Torrance, Calif.) was named to both the All-CAA second-team and all-rookie squad, but more importantly was selected as the 2012 Rookie of the Year after leading the Tribe back to the conference tournament for the first time since 2009.  Koleva was named Rookie of the Week a league-best four times throughout the season, and was also named MVP of the Colonial Challenge tournament.  She ranks second on the team this year in both kills (2.29 per set) and points (2.67 per set), and is tied for the team lead with six double-doubles.  Koleva is the fourth W&M player to be named CAA Rookie of the Year, and the first since Kim Mount '09 won it in 2005.  Her second-team selection is the 24th in school history, and she is the first freshman since 2001 (Carly Huffman '05) and sixth rookie overall to make the second-team.

Senior Shaylin O'Connell (Leesburg, Va.) had her best-ever season in 2012, and was rewarded for her efforts with a spot on the All-CAA third team.  She set career-highs in 12 categories, including solo blocks, block-assists, total blocks, kills, attack percentage, and points; and also recorded her first double-double with 10 kills and 10 blocks against New Hampshire.  O'Connell leads the Tribe this season in blocks (88), blocks per set (0.94), and attack percentage (.261).

William and Mary is seeded fifth in the CAA Championships, and will open the tournament taking on No. 4 Hofstra Friday night at 7 p.m. in the quarterfinals.