WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Mandy Rockwell, a Whitman College sophomore from
Selah, Wash., recently earned second-team all-conference honors in women's volleyball in the
Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges (NCIC).Rockwell, an athletic 5-foot-6 outside hitter, posted impressive statistics during the 1996 fall season. She led Whitman in kills (362), digs (442) and service aces. She received her team's Most Valuable Player award for the second time in two seasons.
"Mandy is an outstanding volleyball player," Whitman coach Dean Snider said. "She is the complete package. She is a consistent passer, strong defender and fierce attacker."
Rockwell was twice named to all-tournament teams during the fall season. She was honored at the conclusion of both the Lewis-Clark State Invitational and Albertson College Invitational.
"Mandy is first-team all-conference calibre," Snider added. "Next season, as Whitman begins to creep up the conference standings, I would not be surprised to see her make the first team."
Snider also praised Rockwell's character and development into a team leader.
"Mandy is a very quiet, unassuming personality," he said. "As the season progressed, however, I noticed the leader in her beginning to emerge. The rest of the players looked to Mandy for stability. She provided that and more. She is a very high quality person."