Nov. 3, 2008

Hampton, VA - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced the selections for the 2008 All-CIAA and All-CIAA Rookie Teams as selected by the CIAA Volleyball Coaches Association.

This year's team is led by FSU junior middle blocker, Chekimbrell Jefferson. This season, Jefferson leads the conference in hitting percentage, .351 and kills 358, 3.48 avg. Jefferson was the 2007 Player of the Year and Tournament MVP.

Teammates joining Jefferson on the all-conference team are: sophomore outside hitter Samantha Meeks, sophomore setter Achari Mainor, senior right side hitter Shatia Gidrey, junior utility Cailee Huffman, and senior middle blocker Heather Chance, who was a second team selection.

Meeks and Mainor, in only their sophomore season, have been first-team All-CIAA selections since their arrival at Fayetteville State. Huffman, a transfer from Thatcher, AZ, makes the all-conference team in her first season as a Lady Bronco.

Gidrey and Chance close out their senior campaign as all-conference selections. Chance is now a three-time All-CIAA selection (2006 & 2007), who has also played at the right side hitter position. Gidrey was selected to the 2007 All-CIAA team as a utility player.

Xie'Ara Maybank-Smallings, an Elizabeth City State Lady Viking, was selected to the first team at the middle blocker position. Maybank-Smallings ranks at the top of the conference in blocks with 116, 1.20 per set and is second in the conference in hitting percentage, .343.

The CIAA Player and Rookie of the Year will be announced at the Volleyball Championship Banquet held at the Virginia Air and Space Center, Hampton, VA on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 pm.

The 2008 All-CIAA Team and All-CIAA Rookie Teams are listed below.