SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Gaby Fernandez was named River States Conference Defender of the Year and Ashley Harris earned Coach of the Year honors Thursday, recognizing two key figures in a historic season for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College volleyball.

Fernandez has led the Pomeroys' defense throughout a record-setting campaign, while Harris received her first RSC Coach of the Year award after guiding SMWC to its first conference regular-season championship and the program's first NAIA national tournament berth.

Under Harris, the Pomeroys have compiled a school-record 39 victories, the most among NAIA volleyball programs this season. SMWC finished conference play undefeated and secured the opportunity to host the RSC Tournament semifinals and championship match for the first time in program history.

The milestone season also has included the program's first sweep of league preseason favorite IU Kokomo and a home victory over the nationally ranked Cougars. With its first trip to the NAIA national tournament already clinched, SMWC enters the final weekend of the conference tournament looking to add another championship to its accomplishments.

Fernandez, a junior libero and defensive specialist from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, earned the conference's top defensive award after collecting 575 digs across 90 sets, an average of 6.39 per set. She also has supplied 103 assists and 34 service aces.

Her consistency earned five RSC Defender of the Week awards this season, along with one NAIA National Defender of the Week honor. Fernandez also was named to the All-RSC first team.

Fernandez reached double figures in digs in 23 of her 28 appearances, including four matches with at least 30. She recorded a season-high 40 digs against Kansas Wesleyan on Sept. 19 and added 31 against both Judson and USAO. Against Midway on Oct. 9, she contributed 25 digs, 10 assists and five aces.

The individual awards followed a conference-leading eight All-RSC selections for the Pomeroys, including four first-team honorees. Raimey Owens also represented SMWC on the RSC Champions of Character Team.

SMWC will host the RSC Tournament semifinals Friday, Nov. 13, at the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center. IU Kokomo and Rio Grande will meet at 4 p.m., followed by the Pomeroys against IU Columbus at 7 p.m. The semifinal winners will play for the championship Saturday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. All times are Eastern.