Arkansas Tech's Erin Essink and Kelly Allums have been named to the
2004 All-Gulf South Conference volleyball team.

In a vote by the league's head coaches, Essink was selected to the league's first-team for the second time, while this is Allums' first all-conference honor.

Both players played instrumental roles in the Golden Suns' turnaround performance this fall. Following a 4-25 mark last season, Tech turned in a 13-17 overall mark --- including a trip to the Gulf South Conference post-season tournament.

Essink, a 6-foot senior middle hitter from Lincoln, Neb., led the Golden Suns in hitting with a .236 effort and total blocks with 130. She was second in kills with 380, serve aces with 37 and digs with 341.

Allums, a 5-10 junior outside hitter from Houston, Texas, was Tech's leader in kills with 444 and digs with 470.

Conference champion North Alabama and Harding dominated the awards by placing four players each on the all-league team.

In individual awards for the West Division, Harding middle blocker Kate Kennedy was the Player of the Year, Ouachita Baptist middle blocker Breanne Garrett was named Freshman of the Year and Harding head coach Keith Giboney earned his second consecutive Coach of the Year award.

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