WILLIAMSBURG, Va.– Seniors Rebecca Birch and Erin Huffman of the Old Dominion field hockey team each received another accolade after their impressive 2019 seasons, as both players earned VaSID All-State honors, the organization announced on Friday morning.
Birch was named First Team All-State by VaSID, adding to her impressive list of postseason awards that includes Third Team All-American, First Team All-BIG EAST and First Team All-South Region. The center back from the United Kingdom led the stout Monarch defense to five shutout victories this season. She also had a terrific year on the offensive side of the ball, ranking at the top of the ODU charts in both goals and points, with nine and 25, respectively.
Birch was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on September 16, and was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll five times. This is the second consecutive season that the senior was honored by VaSID, as she garnered the same award after her 2018 campaign.
VaSID named Huffman Second Team All-State, also for the second year in a row. Despite battling through injuries, Huffman put together a quality campaign, scoring eight goals and registering 17 points ranking, her second and third on the team, respectively.
Huffman earned All-South Region and First Team All-BIG EAST honors for the third consecutive campaign to wrap up an impressive career with the Monarchs.
Both Birch and Huffman were named captains of the ODU field hockey team before the start of the season and both served as alternates in the Victory Sports Tours/NFHCA Senior Game.
VaSID names 37 All-State teams in 22 sports each year, as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions.
2019 Virginia Sports Information Directors University Division All-State Field Hockey Team
Coach of the Year: Michele Madison, Virginia
Player of the Year: Rachel Robinson, Virginia
Rookie of the Year: Daniella Rhodes, Liberty
First Team
F - Daniella Rhodes, Liberty
F - Jill Bolton, Liberty *^
F - Miranda Rigg, James Madison ^^
F - Elise Zwicklbauer, Richmond ^
M - Christie van de Kamp, William & Mary *
M - Rachel Robinson, Virginia ^^
M - Cara Menges, William & Mary
D - Rebecca Birch, Old Dominion *
D - Amber Ezechiels, Virginia
D - Ashley Dykema, Liberty *^
GK - Lauren Hausheer, Virginia
Second Team
F - Erin Huffman, Old Dominion ^
F - Karly Harwood, Longwood
F - Woodard Hooper, William & Mary *
M - Maite Sturm, VCU ^
M - Annie Snead, William & Mary ^
M - Greer Gill, Virginia
M - Amanda DaSilva, Richmond
D - Cassidy Goodwin, William & Mary ^
D - Anzel Viljoen, Virginia
D - Tabby Billingham, William & Mary
GK - Katie Wyman, Longwood
* Previous first team awards
^ Previous second team awards
Birch and Huffman Tabbed for All-State Honors by VaSID
