WEEKLY SPOTLIGHT: Battling Bishop volleyball to honor lone senior Sydney Bens

Rocky Mount, NC - Prior to the start of Wednesday's volleyball game versus Methodist University, head coach Robin Pietryk and her Battling Bishop squad honored the lone senior member of their 2008 squad, Sydney Bens. A four-year letterwinner, Bens has been a staple in Pietryk's line-up over the past four seasons. To her credit, the two-year captain has helped lead her Battling Bishops to a 71-57 record during that span, including back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2007 and 2008. It should also be noted that she and her teammates are in the midst of the program's best season since 1980.  The focus of this week's Spotlight, therefore, is this talented senior who has represented herself and North Carolina Wesleyan College so well over the past four years.

Bens, a native of Wilmington, NC, joined the North Carolina Wesleyan volleyball squad as a freshman in 2005. Since that time, she has seen action in 125 matches and 421 games. A three-year starter, Bens has made her mark in NCWC's volleyball record book by ranking second all-time with 2,927 attack attempts and fourth all-time with 916 kills and 1,133 digs.  Her 1,133 digs, in fact, lead all players during her Bishop tenure. Additionally, the outside hitter has amassed 150 service aces, 81 assists, and 69 blocks, while single-season accolades include a career-best 362 kills and 450 digs in 2007.

In the classroom, Bens is a USA South Academic All-Conference performer who has twice been nominated for ESPN Academic All-Region accolades. Majoring in Business Administration, Sydney is also a member of NCWC's President's List and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, having represented Wesleyan this summer at the NCAA's Leadership retreat in Orlando, FL.

Sydney is the daughter of Ed and Donna Bens, who have proudly supported their daughter both on and off the court over the course of her collegiate career.  Sydney's leadership and commitment to North Carolina Wesleyan are appreciated and will be sorely missed next season.

Congratulations Sydney!

Wesleyan hosts Methodist at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday night in Everett Gymnasium. A key USA South match-up, the Bishops can secure a second place league finish with a victory.
 

2008-09 SPOTLIGHT ARCHIVES
2007-08 SPOTLIGHT ARCHIVES
2006-07 SPOTLIGHT ARCHIVES
 

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