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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. Five Virginia field hockey players were named to the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-South Region Team, announced Wednesday. Fourth-year Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn and first-year Paige Selenksi were selected to the first team, while third-year Traci Ragukas and first-years Michelle Vittese and Floor Vogels were second team honorees.
“These honors are an expected representation for the team’s successes and high level of performances amongst ACC opponents and non-conference foes in our region,” Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. “To have one senior, one junior and three freshmen selected as the best players in the nation’s premier region says a lot about what this young team accomplished this season. Our staff is ready to agree with the consensus that UVa had the best freshmen class in the nation.”
Kaars Sijpesteijn, a senior captain, is a two-time All-America honoree and was selected to the all-region squad for a third consecutive year. She was a first team member in 2006 and a second team selection last year. A Wassenaar, Netherlands native, Kaars Sijpesteijn recorded nine goals and six assists for 24 points in 2008. She was also second with 72 shots and had two game-winning goals.
Selenksi, a Shavertown, Pa., native was the 2008 ACC Freshman of the Year after leading Virginia in scoring with 19 goals and nine assists for 47 points. Her 101 shots and six game-winning goals also were a team-best. It is her first all-region honor.
Ragukas, a Sweet Valley, Pa., native received her third straight all-region honor. She was selected to the second team in 2006 and 2007. This season, Ragukas was second on the team in scoring behind Selenski, recording 16 goals and six assists for 38 points.
Vittese earned her first career all-region honor with six goals and six assists for 18 points during her rookie campaign. Vittese, a Woodbury, N.J., native, missed six games during the season because of injury.
Vogels, a Nijmegen, Netherlands native, also picked up her first all-region recognition after contributing eight goals and four assists for 20 points as a freshman.
Virginia concluded the 2008 campaign with a 14-9 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.