COD Women's Volleyball: Hansen, Campbell-Faynor, Griffith, Roberts & Inprom Named 3CWVCA Academic All-State

Five College of the Desert Women's Volleyball players were recently named to the 2019 California Community College Women's Volleyball Coaches Association (3CWBCA) Academic All-State Team.

To view the complete list of honorees, click HERE

Those named to the Academic All-State Team include: freshman libero Dakota Hansen (Myrtle Beach, SC), sophomore opposite Kendal Campbell-Faynor (White Rock (BC) Semiahoo Secondary), freshman middle blocker Emillie Griffith (Yucca Valley H.S.), freshman outside hitter Alissa Roberts (Gilbert (AZ) San Tan Charter) and sophomore libero Angela Inprom (Cathedral City H.S.).

The most recent season for Roadrunners Volleyball was the 2019 season, which was the fifth year for head coach Detlev Rothe and co-head coach Marion Champion as Desert ended the season with a record of 15-9 overall and 8-2 in Conference, winning the inaugural Inland Empire Athletic Conference (IEAC) title and their first title since 2007.

The 2019 season was truly a season of firsts for the Roadrunners including: knocking off LA Pierce for the first time ever and winning 9 of 10 matches from September 28th through November 15th.

Hansen (3.7 GPA), who also plays second base for the COD Softball team, was named second team all- IEAC. Hansen placed second in the state with 597 digs. She had 25 or more digs in 11 of the 24 games played in the season. Hansen had a season high 51 digs against the Butte Roadrunners at the Mt. San Antonio Invitational on September 28, 2019. Roadrunners Volleyball Head Coach, Detlev Rothe commented, "The only other athlete to compete in every set and every match in 2019. Dakota embodies the two words that define how we want our athletes to perform on the court … Fierce and Relentless. She turned that passion into tops in our conference in digs and 5th in the state at over 6.7 digs per set." She also played in all 25 Softball games for the Roadrunners during the COVID shortened 2020 season, hitting .372 in 86 at bats.

Campbell-Faynor (3.7 GPA), who competed in both indoor and beach volleyball, was named All-IEAC Honorable Mention as she led the team in service aces with 48. She also had 292 digs for the season. Campbell-Faynor was Honorable Mention in 2018 as well. She was the Roadrunners team captain in 2019, leading COD to their first Conference Championship in 12 years. As a regular starter, Campbell-Faynor was a key component to the Roadrunners 20-win season in 2018 and had the strongest winning percentage on the beach volleyball team in 2019. She is also one of the first Roadrunners athletes to earn All-Conference honors in both indoor and beach volleyball. Coach Rothe commented, "Kendal will always be associated with the excellence we try to pursue every day. She played all 89 sets in all 24 matches in 2019, a testament to her heart and commitment." Campbell-Faynor had 9 nine plus point games, including two 13-point games and a 14-point game, over the course of the 2019 season. Her best game was on September 11, 2019 at the Riverside Tigers, where Campbell-Faynor had 13 kills, a service ace and 8 digs.

Griffith (3.7 GPA), played in played in 23 of 24 Volleyball matches during the 2019 season, starting 13 of those games, finishing second on the team in kills (166) and tying for fourth on the team in total blocks (19). Griffith, who goes by the nickname "Em," transitioned to the outside hitter position when she joined the program in the fall of 2019. She battled a shoulder injury that kept her off the sand in 2020, however she competed in all but one match indoor in 2019. Coach Rothe commented, "It's been my pleasure to see Emillie grow as a local youth club athlete, and I am honored to have her continue her volleyball career as a Roadrunner." Griffith had 12 nine plus point games, including two 18-point games, over the course of the 2019 season. Her best game was on September 21, 2019 at the Grossmont Tri in La Mesa versus the host Grossmont Griffins, where Griffith had 14 kills, 4 service aces and 9 digs.

Roberts (3.7 GPA), recruited as a dual sport athlete, never got to compete on the beach due to an abdominal injury that hampered her in the indoor season as well. An exceptionally talented server indoor and a well-rounded beach player, Roberts played in 57 sets in 2019, garnering 40 digs and 20 service aces. Coach Rothe commented, "Roberts came to us from Arizona where she had the benefit of getting to play beach volleyball as a high school sport. Unfortunately, we have not had the opportunity to truly see her in action, but she is clearly a dedicated student and will be able to apply that discipline to future volleyball opportunities as she moves on from College of the Desert this summer." Roberts had a season high 11 digs against the Orange Coast Pirates at the OCC Tri on September 7, 2019.

Inprom (3.8 GPA), who competed in both indoor and beach volleyball, played in nine indoor matches during the 2018 season, including six Conference games. Coach Rothe commented, "Angie is a strong dual sport athlete that was part of the best back-to-back seasons in my years here at College of the Desert." Inprom started the shortened 2020 beach volleyball season strong with a resounding victory at the 3's spot with Judy Figueroa, defeating Glendale College 21-12, 21-8 in front of a home crowd at the Palm Desert Civic Center Sand Courts. Coach Rothe continued, "Angie is an exceptional student in the Kinesiology Department, with the honor of reading the National Athletic Training Month proclamation at this month's Board of Trustees meeting."

To qualify for Academic All-State recognition these student-athletes had to compete for a year at their colleges, earn at least 24 units of credit and maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA. Hansen, Campbell-Faynor, Griffith, Roberts & Inprom were five of only 110 women to receive the honor across the entire state.

To read further coverage of the All-State Team from the Inalnd Empire Athletic Conference, click HERE

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information, Photo & Story provided by COD Sports Information.