By Brian Howard
A record 14 former Florida A&M University (FAMU) volleyball players were named to the all-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) 50th anniversary volleyball team.
Nicole Abreau, Maria Andronova, Jovana Blazeski, Valentina Carrasco, Susan Egoavil, Shante’ Haymore, Adriana Kostadinova, Randi Lee, Ginna Lopez-Chavez, Anna Nicholson, Mariela Portocarrero, Marrita Royster-Crockett, Adriena Ruiz and Maria Yvette Garcia earned the conference honor.
FAMU led the way with a record number of former players selected to the all-time MEAC 50th anniversary volleyball team, with Howard placing nine on the team. Morgan State (eight), Maryland Eastern Shore (six), North Carolina A&T State (four), South Carolina State (three), Coppin State (two), North Carolina Central (one), Bethune-Cookman (one), Delaware State (one) and Hampton (one) rounded out the all-time team.
Abreau earned MEAC Co-Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 and was selected to the 2017 All-MEAC First Team.
Andronova was named the 2005 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer and the 2006 MEAC Player of the Year. In addition, she was a two-time (2005, 2006) All-MEAC First Team recipient.
Blazeski had several accolades during her collegiate career including, 2007 MEAC Rookie of the Year, 2009 MEAC Player of the Year, 2009 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer and two-time (2007, 2009) All-MEAC First Team.
Carrasco garnered back-to-back (2017, 2018) All-MEAC First Team selections.
Egoavil posted All-MEAC First Team selections in 2007 and 2009.
Haymore was a two-time MEAC Player of the Year along with All-MEAC First Team in 2000 and 2001. In addition, she was tabbed the 2001 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer.
Kostadinova, who was inducted into the 2020 FAMU Sports Hall of Fame, had several accolades, including two-time MEAC Player of the Year (2004, 2005), three-time All-MEAC First Team (2003-2005) and three-time MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer (2002-2004).
Lee posted All-MEAC First Team honors in 1993 and 1994.
Lopez-Chavez was tabbed a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection from 2013-2016.
Nicholson earned 1999 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer and All-MEAC First Team.
Portocarrero was a three-time All-MEAC First Team honoree (2001, 2003-2004).
Royster-Crockett garnered 2006 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer and All-MEAC First Team honors.
Ruiz tabbed All-MEAC First Team (2002-2004).
Yvette Garcia was a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection (2016, 2018-19).
To be considered on the ballot, players must have been named to one of the following: First Team All-MEAC, MEAC Player of the Year, AVCA All-American or All-Region or a MEAC Hall of Fame inductee.
