Liberty League announces 2016 Volleyball awards; Szybist named Player of the Year
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sarah Szybist, Sr., Outside Hitter, Rochester Institute of Technology
RIT senior Sarah Szybist was selected as the Liberty League Player of the Year. Szybist was tops in all of Division III this season in kills per set (5.07) and points per set (5.69) while leading the country with her 770 kills. She paced the Tigers and the league in both categories and she also led RIT with 437 digs and 69 blocks. The four-time Liberty League Performer of the Week selection led the Tigers to their third straight postseason appearance. Szybist recorded 30 kills in a match four times, including a season-best 37 in a five-set win over Mount Union. She also had at least 10 kills in 37 of 39 matches this season.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Jane McLeod, Hitter, Vassar College
Vassar College freshman Jane McLeod was chosen as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. McLeod was part of a Brewer squad that advanced to the Liberty League championship game after returning to the league tournament for the first time since 2013. She was one of the league’s top players as she finished the season ranked second among league leaders in kills per set (3.65) and sixth in hitting percentage (.285). Her 385 kills was the best of any newcomers in the league and she paced the Brewers in kills for 13 matches. She earned Rookie of the Week honors four times this year and she posted double-digit kills in 21 matches.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Vassar College – Jonathan Penn; Assistant Coach Joe Torella
Vassar College head coach Jonathan Penn and assistant coach Joe Torella were selected as the Liberty League coaching staff of the year as voted by the league’s head coaches. Penn and Torella directed the Brewers to 21-10 overall record and a 9-3 mark in Liberty League play. Vassar captured the regular season title and returned to the postseason for the first time since 2013. They also earned hosting rights to the tournament as the top seed for the first time since 2009. The Brewers led the league in hitting percentage (.218), assists (11.55/set), kills (12.34/set) and service aces per set (2.43). Penn also recorded his 500th win this season on October 29th.
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM:
Rachael Aird, So., MH, Clarkson
Devan Gallagher, So., H, Vassar
Annie MacMillan, So., S, Vassar
Jane McLeod, Fr., H, Vassar
Katherine Moeller, Sr., L, Union
Rachel Reusch, Fr., MH, Clarkson
Sarah Szybist, Sr., OH, RIT
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE SECOND TEAM:
Katy Ehnstrom, Fr., MH, Skidmore
Bailey Hutchins, So., S, Skidmore
Kate Isaksen, Fr., Clarkson
Masha Kolesnikova, Jr., St. Lawrence
Gabby Miller, Sr., MH, Vassar
Amanda Price, Sr., S, Union
Ally VanDoren, Sr., OH, Union
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE
Caite Canfield, So., OH, Skidmore
Erin Parkinson, Jr., OH, RIT
Amanda Teppo, Fr., MH, St. Lawrence
Anna Valentine, Jr., OH, RIT