Jan. 25, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M outside hitter Sarah Ammerman was presented the team's Most Valuable Player award and setter Jola Kelner received the team's Most Inspirational award, as voted by their teammates, at the annual Aggie Volleyball Banquet held today at the Bernard C. Richardson Zone at Kyle Field.
Ammerman also garnered the team's Best Offensive Player award, while junior outside hitter Mary Batis was recognized with the Best Defensive Player award. In addition, freshman outside hitter/libero Kelsey Black received A&M's Most Improved Player award.
Ammerman, a junior from Parker, Colo., ranked seventh in the Big 12 Conference and led the Aggies in both kills (3.49) and points (3.90) per set in league matches only. She reached double figures in kills in 19 matches overall during the 2008 season and had double-digit digs in a team-leading 13 matches. In addition, Ammerman had 11 double-doubles, also a team high.
During A&M's season-ending six-match winning surge, Ammerman led or tied for match-high honors in both kills and points in every match. She hit .326 while averaging 4.55 kills and 5.07 points per set during the stretch and was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 24 after leading the Big 12 with 5.50 points and 5.00 kills while hitting at a .356 clip in crucial victories against Oklahoma and Colorado.
Kelner, a junior setter from Poland, made six starts for the Aggies after junior setter Kristen Schevikhoven went down with a severe ankle injury, and led A&M on a three-match winning streak. Kelner also occasionally subbed in to play the back row and serve, appearing in a total of 22 matches.
Batis, a junior outside hitter, led the Aggies in total digs for the third consecutive year, posting 315 for a team-leading 2.81 per set average. The San Antonio, Texas, native started every match and played in all but one set for the Aggies and became the ninth player in A&M history to surpass both 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career.
Black, a freshman from Amarillo, Texas, played in every match, starting two as an outside hitter and 12 as the designated libero, including each of the last 10 matches. She led the team with four 20-plus dig performances and finished the season with a team-high 3.0 digs per set in Big 12 matches only.
A&M's three seniors, Kelsey Bryant (Austin, Texas), Darla Donaldson (Temecula, Calif.) and Jillian Phillips (Marble Falls, Texas) also were recognized for their contributions throughout their careers to the Aggie volleyball program.
The Aggies went 16-14 in 2008, including 11-9 in the Big 12, tying Iowa State for fourth place in the conference standings. A&M also received votes and were listed tied for 33rd in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.