April 10, 2008
Texas A&M outside hitter Mary Batis has been recognized as an All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) announced.
A&M strength and conditioning coach Raychelle Ellsworth nominated Batis for the award, which recognizes student athletes?â„¢ dedication to strength training and conditioning.
?Mary is one of the most dedicated athletes I have had,? Ellsworth said. ?She gives 100 percent in the weight room, on the court, in the classroom and in the community. She has made great strides in the weight room, and it shows on the court. Mary is by definition what a student-athlete should be, and I am proud to be her coach.?
Batis, a junior-to-be from San Antonio, has started every match and played in all but one game during her two years at A&M. As a sophomore, she led the Aggies with 3.57 digs per game and was ranked in the top 10 in the Big 12 in kills per game (3.56) and aces per game (0.31). She also posted a team-leading 17 double-double performances (double figure kills and digs) as the Aggies went 21-10.
Batis also was named the Most Valuable Player at both the Texas A&M Invitational and the UTSA Classic last season, and at the Aggies?â„¢ end-of-the-year banquet, she was named team co-MVP and Best Defensive Player.
Batis and the Aggies conclude their spring competition schedule Saturday at the 3rd Annual Texas Tornados College Spring Tournament in Houston. A&M will play four matches during the 1-day tournament, including matches against 2007 Final Four participant Southern California and Wichita State, which advanced to the NCAA second round.