Feb. 8, 2006
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa volleyball team has announced its team awards for the 2005 season. The awards were given out at the annual team banquet, which was held on February 4.
Freshman outside hitter Catherine Smale was named team MVP after an outstanding campaign in which she was named to the Big Ten’s All-Freshman team. She set a Hawkeye freshman record with 411 kills. Along with kills, she led the team in kills per game (3.61) and total attempts (1,271). She was second on the team with 312 digs and fourth with 20 service aces.
Sophomore Stacy Vitali was named the team’s Best Offensive Player, after leading the team with a .273 attack percentage and recording 394 kills.
Freshman libero Emily Hiza was named Best Defensive Player, along with earning the team’s Academic Award.
Junior Melanie Meister was awarded the Strength Training award, while freshmen Mary Puck was the team’s Most Improved and Laura Kremer won the Hawkeye Inspirational Award.
“Looking back on the season is always fun at the year-end banquet, and it’s already gotten me excited about the upcoming season,” Iowa Head Coach Cindy Fredrick said. “I think the fact that so many awards went to young players really speaks well of the future of Iowa Volleyball.”