Lauren Flynn Named Lone Star Conference Libero of the Year and Mark Pryor Named as LSC Coach of the Year

Three members of the Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team and head coach Mark Pryor were recognized as Lone Star Conference officials announced league honors on Wednesday night.

Senior Lauren Flynn earned Libero of the Year honors after sharing the honor in 2008 as well as first team all-Lone Star Conference recognition. Flynn was also named to the LSC All-Academic Team for her efforts in the classroom as well as on the court.

"Lauren has been an absolute joy to coach. When you lead the conference in digs for two years in a row, it makes for an easy choice. The coaches in the conference have all stated that she is an absolute game changer.  My response to that is pretty simple, 'you should see some of the ridiculous plays she makes in practice on a daily basis. ' Lauren makes the difficult dig look mundane.  I am extremely proud of her, and happy for her," said Pryor.

Joining Flynn on the first team was senior setter Perla Faudoa. "Perla has been a great leader for this program from the moment she stepped onto the floor when she got to campus in Janaury of 2008.  She has been the soul of this program for two seasons, and I am so proud of her," noted Pryor.

Junior outside hitter Naomi Mays earned second team recognition. "A lot of coaches in the conference stated that when Naomi hits the ball, there is a lot of 'wow factor'.  I think that is a pretty true statement. I am very happy for to receive some recognition for her efforts," said Pryor.  

In his second year, head coach Mark Pryor was selected as the Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year. Pryor and the Lions finished the regular season fourth overall and have reached new heights in 2009. 

The .727 winning percentage by the Lions is the best since a .857 (30-5) effort in 1987 when A&M-Commerce posted a 30-5 mark en route to an LSC Championship. The 24 victories are the most since 1987 and the fifth highest total in school history and the fourth-place regular season finish is the highest since 2004 when the conference was split into two divisions. 

Pryor said he was shocked to receive the honor. "We got fourth in the conference and  the three coaches that led their teams to better conference finishes were all really deserving as well.  It really means a tremendous amount to me to be recognized by my peers for what we have done in the last 16 months at Texas A&M-Commerce.  I could not be more grateful, thankful, and humbled by that."

The Lions will begin play in the Lone Star Conference Tournament today at 5 pm when they take on No. 5 seed Central Oklahoma in Canyon, Texas at The Box.