Over the break, the Louisiana Sports Writers Association honored two members of the Loyola volleyball team, which was ranked first in the region all year and advanced into the national tournament.

Head coach Greg Castillo was named Coach of the Year, while outside hitter Maggie Schaeffer, communications senior, was selected to the All-Louisiana First Team.

Castillo, who has coached the Wolfpack for seven years, led the team to a 31-11 season in 2002, which included a record 16-match winning streak. Castillo has also been named Region XIII Coach of the Year.

We’re going up against the entire state — LSU, UNO and everyone,” Castillo said. “I’m really happy… and I hope it brings some recognition to Loyola.”

Despite the statewide competition, the women also earned a fourth consecutive GCAC Championship, a second straight NAIA Region XIII Championship and second straight NAIA National Tournament appearance.

At the NAIA National Tournament, the ‘Pack upset 21st-ranked St. Francis, 3-1.

Schaeffer — who holds Loyola career records for kills, digs, aces and hitting percentage — was named the GCAC and NAIA Region XIII MVP.

She set the Wolfpack’s single-season record for digs (689) while recording the second-most kills in a season (565) at Loyola (she set the record last year with 600).

“With scholarships, Division I and NAIA are worlds apart,” Schaeffer said. “But when it comes down to it, it’s all volleyball. It’s exciting to know I’m good enough to be honored with all these great players, even though they’re on scholarship to play and I’m not.”

The LSWA was founded in 1950 and selects an annual All-Louisiana team in many sports.

It also creates a committee to select members for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.