LEXINGTON, Ky. - Five student-athletes from the Appalachian Athletic Conference earned a spot on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Northeast Region First Team, the organization announced Wednesday.

Making the first team are: Kendra Fiddler of Milligan (Tenn.), Brandi Blessing from Virginia Intermont, Lauren McMillan of Union (Ky.), Jacqui Anderson of Columbia (S.C.) and Natalie Nieman of Montreat (N.C.).

All five are members of the 2011 All-Appalachian Athletic Conference First Team. Fiddler is the AAC Player of the Year, Anderson is the AAC Setter of the Year, and Nieman earned All-Tournament and Tournament MVP honors after helping Montreat to the tournament championship.

Two others from the conference received honorable mentions. Those honorees are Karina Ramos of Union and Chelsea Blackburn of Bryan (Tenn.).

To view all of the AVCA NAIA All-Region teams, click here.