Nov. 21, 2007

CANYON, Texas - For the second straight season, the Lady Buff volleyball team sits atop both the Lone Star Conference and the NCAA-II Southwest Region and just as he was during last season's run to the Elite Eight, West Texas A&M head coach Tony Graystone has been recognized for his outstanding coaching efforts. This week, Graystone was named American Volleyball Coach Association (AVCA) Southwest Regional Coach of the Year, joining sophomore setter Katie Rickwartz, who also represented the Lady Buffs on the All-Southwest Region team.

In his ninth season as the head coach of the WT volleyball program, Graystone has established a name for the Lady Buffs as one of the premier volleyball programs in NCAA Division II. WTAMU began the 2007 season as the preseason No. 21 team in the CSTV/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 poll, but has since powered its way up the chart to reach as high as No. 8. Graystone has led the Lady Buffs to a 35-7 record thus far in the season, including a perfect 12-0 mark in the Lone Star Conference, locking up a conference title along the way. WTAMU upended No. 1 seed Nebraska-Kearney to capture the Southwest Regional championship and earn its 10th national quarterfinal appearance, where it will face Grand Valley State on Thursday, Nov. 29.

Sophomore Katie Rickwartz

Last season the veteran mentor guided his squad to a 34-4 overall record and a final national ranking of No. 11. During his career, Graystone has established a 280-55 overall record, becoming the program's all-time wins leader, and also becoming the fastest coach in NCAA history to reach 100 victories. This year's honor marks the second consecutive and fourth overall AVCA Division II Southwest Region Coach of the Year award for Graystone.

Rickwartz, meanwhile, came on strong this season after replacing former Lady Buff setter and 2006 honorable mention AVCA All-America Libby Garza. The Canyon, Texas, native led both her team and the entire Lone Star Conference in assists with 1788, and assists per game with 12.96, in addition to being second on the squad in digs with 396. Rickwartz also has 118 kills and 61 total blocks.

The All-Region honor is the second of the year for Rickwartz, who along with fellow sophomore Laura Prinsen, was named first team Daktronics Division II All-Southwest Region. Junior libero Sara Contreras also garnered second team All-Region honors from Daktronics.