Volleyball Celebrates 2010 Season With Team Awards

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From SMUMustangs.com:

Volleyball Celebrates 2010 Season With Team Awards Presentation
Mustangs issue team awards following the most successful season in program history

Feb. 14, 2011

DALLAS (SMU) --- The SMU volleyball team celebrated its 2010 season with the end of the year awards this past week. Head coach Lisa Seifert and the rest of the team gathered to recognize the individual and group accomplishments during SMU's most successful season in program history.

The Mustangs finished the year with a program-best 25-6 record and second place finish in Conference USA. Led by a strong defense, which ranked in the top 30 in the nation in digs (17.65) and blocks (2.55) per set, SMU tallied a 17-3 record in league play.

This year's Mustang Award was given to senior Kathryn Wilkerson, who finished her career ranked second in program history in total digs (1588) and fourth in kills (1445). The award is voted on by the team and represents the player displaying the most outstanding determination, dedication and desire. The outside hitter finishes her career on the Hilltop as one of the most accomplished players in school history amassing 378 kills and 452 digs (both totals place second on the team) during her senior season. The Arlington, Texas native earned First Team All-Conference USA honors following her senior campaign.

The coaching staff selected junior Dana Powell as the team's MVP. For the second consecutive season the junior earned an AVCA All-America honorable mention. Powell also received an AVCA All-Midwest Region first-team selection and a First Team Conference USA honor. The only Mustang to be a two-time All-American, Powell excelled on the court by leading the team with 3.35 kills per set and placed third with 3.59 digs per game. Along with the athletic accolades, the Tulsa, Okla. product is also successful in the classroom and earned a selection to C-USA's All-Academic Team.

The team also celebrated the accomplishments of the senior class to the advancements of the program. The class, which is comprised of Wilkerson, Caitlin Adair and Kenzie Bukolt, led SMU to the most wins (74) over a four-year period during their tenure. Adair earned a selection to the C-USA All-Academic team and became the first Mustang to earn First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. The psychology major maintained a 3.946 GPA during her time on the Hilltop. Bukolt battled injuries throughout her career, which ultimately forced her to miss the 2010 season.

The Mustangs placed five players on the All-C-USA squad. In addition to Powell and Wilkerson, Kelli Becerra, Jessica Oliver and Courtney Manning all made the second team. Becerra, who was a team captain for the season, led the team with 10.69 assists per set during the year. Oliver, a right-side hitter, earned an honorable mention to the AVCA All-Midwest Region after compiling 2.61 kills per set. Manning, the team's starting middle blocker, finished her sophomore season ranked 19th with 1.34 blocks per set.

SMU compiled eight C-USA Player of the Week Awards during the season. Libero Sidney Stewart led the team with four weekly honors. The junior, who is SMU's all-time career digs leader with 1,593, led the Mustangs with 4.66 digs per set this season. Stewart received the Best Defensive Player award by the team for her efforts in leading SMU to be the top defensive team in the league.

The seniors continued a team tradition by selecting the Best Freshman Award. This year's class selected defensive specialist Meghan Janette as the winner of the year's top newcomer. Janette led her class in digs and assists while working her way into the team's regular defensive rotation.

The Mustangs look to build on this year's success as the focus turns to next season. SMU returns a strong core of players to blend with an impressive recruiting class in 2011.