Batis Becomes Three-Time All-American Athlete
Apr 07, 2010 | Volleyball
April 7, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M outside hitter Mary Batis has once again been recognized as an All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recently announced.
The San Antonio native received the award for the third consecutive year and joins former Aggie libero/defensive specialist Beth Weynand (1999, 2000, 2001) as A&M volleyball's only three-time NSCA All-American Athlete honorees.
A&M strength and conditioning coach Raychelle Ellsworth nominated Batis for the award, which recognizes student athletes' dedication to strength training and conditioning.
"Mary has been a pleasure to coach the last four years," Ellsworth said. "She has been the heart and soul of this team and leads by example. She always has a smile on her face and something positive to say."
The durable Batis started every match during her four-year career and ranks fifth in the A&M career records for digs (4,366) and eighth for kills (1,428). As a senior, she led the team in digs per set for the third consecutive year and helped direct the Aggies to the 2009 NCAA Championship regional semifinals, a 20-11 record and a No. 21 ranking in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.
A three-time selection to the Academic All-Big 12 second team, Batis posted 10 double-doubles in 2009 and led A&M in aces and aces per set. She was named the CVU.com National Player of the Week on Sept. 1 following her MVP performance at the Texas A&M Invitational, which the Aggies won. She also earned all-tournament honors at the Texas State CenturyTel Premier after helping A&M win its second consecutive tournament title.
The NSCA All-American Athlete of the Year award program is in its 32nd year. This year, the NSCA recognized 232 collegiate athletes from 106 colleges and universities across the nation.
"The advantages of strength training and conditioning cannot be denied in collegiate athletics," said NSCA Executive Director Robert Jursnick. "These student-athletes attest to this understanding and are to be applauded for their hard work and dedication."
