Senior Magdalena Tekiel has been named the Patriot League Player of the Year, marking the eighth time in the last 10 years the player of the year has come from American. Head Coach Barry Goldberg also earned his third Patriot League Coach of the Year honor Monday as four Eagles were named to the All-Patriot League teams.

Tekiel currently leads the conference in hitting percentage (.354) and kills per set (3.89), while ranking second in aces per set (0.38). The outside hitter was named the Patriot League Player of the Week a record five times this season and totaled nine double-doubles. She totaled more than 20 kills on three separate occasions, including a career-high 22 at Bucknell on September 24. Against conference opponents, Tekiel ranked first in kills (4.17), third in hitting percentage (.348), and eighth in aces (0.34). Tekiel's 358 kills, 206 digs and 35 service aces all were career highs.

Tekiel is the fourth different Eagle to be named Patriot League Player of the Year and has earned American's eighth total honor. Karla Kucerkova '04 earned the distinction three straight years from 2001-03 while Cutrina Biddulph '06 was named player of the year in 2004. Rubena Sukaj '09 was also a three-time Patriot League Player of the Year, earning the award from 2006-08.

Goldberg was named the conference's coach of the year for a third time after leading American to a 27-2 overall record and a perfect 14-0 record in Patriot League play. The Eagles' unbeaten record against League opponents marks the sixth time in the last 10 years American has accomplished the feat. American's 27 wins mark the most for the program since joining the conference and stand as the fifth most wins in school history. The Eagles lead the Patriot League in hitting percentage (.299), opponent hitting percentage (.138), kills (14.05), assists (12.95), blocks (2.22) and aces (1.94) this season while ranking third in the nation in winning percentage (.931), fourth in hitting percentage and fourth in aces. American is also currently riding a 21-match win streak, the second longest in school history and the longest in conference annals.

Goldberg was previously named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2006, leading American to records of 26-4 and 25-7, respectively.

Joining Tekiel on the All-Patriot League First Team are classmates Cassandra Ricketts and Angelina Waterman. Ricketts is third in the conference with a .325 hitting percentage and also ranks 10^th in service aces (0.32). She was even more impressive during Patriot League play, leading the conference with a .385 hitting percentage and ranking second with 0.38 aces per set. She was named the player of the week on November 1 after notching a .722 hitting percentage with 14 kills at Navy and recorded her second career double-double with 17 kills and 15 digs on November 6 at Army.

Waterman was named to the first team after ranking fourth in the Patriot League in hitting percentage (.291) and second in kills (3.71). The senior was named player of the week three times this season and totaled four double-doubles. In conference play Waterman ranked 10^th in hitting percentage (.265) and third in kills (3.54).

Bianca Richardson was also honored by the conference Monday with selection to the All-Patriot League Second Team. Richardson finished the regular season ranked fifth in blocks (0.88) and aces (0.33), while recording career-highs in hitting percentage, kills, blocks, and aces. The sophomore was eighth in the League during conference play with a .381 hitting percentage and also ranked fifth in blocks (0.91) and third in aces (0.36).

“I am really pleased with our team's performance this season,” Goldberg commented. “It is truly a testament to our senior class and all the hard work they have put in over the four years they have been here. I want to congratulate Magdalena, Cassandra, Angelina and Bianca for their individual honors which are a result of our team's excellent performance over the season.”

Tekiel's selection to the first team was the second of her career while Waterman picked up her second All-Patriot League award after being named to the second team last season. Ricketts and Richardson were each honored for the first time.

American will host the 2010 Patriot League Tournament this Saturday and Sunday, November 20-21, in Bender Arena. The top-seeded Eagles will face fourth-seeded Bucknell on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in the first semifinal match with No. 2 Army and No. 3 Colgate set to meet at 6:00 p.m. The winner of the two matches will then square off on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. with the Patriot League Championship and a berth into the NCAA Tournament on the line.

Fans unable to attend the matches can catch all of the action live online via a subscription to Patriot League All*Access. For more information on the tournament, or for more information on Patriot League All*Access, click here.