Following a vote by the conference's nine head coaches, the Liberty League has announced the 2023 Volleyball Major Awards and All-League teams.
LIBERTY LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jamie Koopman, Senior, Middle/Right Side, Ithaca College
For the second straight year an Ithaca College Volleyball player has been selected the Liberty League Player of the Year. Senior Jamie Koopman is this year’s recipient after registering a team- and league-best .387 hitting percentage in 94 sets. Nationally, she is ranked 13th in hitting percentage. Koopman is also among the league’s top-12 in blocks and blocks per set (8th, 66, 0.70 per set), points and points per set (10th, 300, 3.19 per set) as well as kills and kills per set (9th, 242; 11th, 2.57). The two-time Liberty League Performer of the Week honoree leads the Bombers in solo blocks with 32 and is second in total blocks. Koopman is also second in kills and points.
LIBERTY LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu, Outside Hitter, Ithaca College
It is the second consecutive season an Ithaca College first-year has garnered Rookie of the Year accolades. Outside Hitter Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu hit the ground running with the Bombers this season, playing in all 29 matches, and appearing in 90 of 100 sets. She tops the team and is second among league leaders in total kills and kills per set at 319 and 3.54 respectively. She was fourth in the conference in points per set (3.95) and ninth in total points (355.5). She earned Liberty League Rookie of the Week honors three times this season and produced a .225 hitting percentage. She also recorded 10 blocks, 30 service aces, and 115 digs (1.28 per set).
LIBERTY LEAGUE COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Ithaca College – Johan Dulfer, Head Coach; Assistant Coach Camryn Bancroft
Ithaca head coach Johan Dulfer and his assistant coach Camryn Bancroft were named Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. They guided the Bombers to a 25-4 overall record and an unblemished 8-0 mark against conference opponents for the second straight year. Ithaca dropped only one set in conference play this season as the Bombers earned the top seed of the Liberty League tournament. With a 3-1 victory in the semifinals followed by a 3-0 sweep in the title match, they also claimed their second straight league title. As a team, Ithaca paces the league in hitting percentage (.260), points (1752.5, 17.53 per set), assists (1215, 12.15 per set), and, kills (1351, 13.51 per set). The Bombers are back in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth consecutive season and are hosting their first regional since 2018.
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
Julia Costa, Sr., L, Ithaca
Sara Galante, Sr., OH, Clarkson
Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu, FY, OH, Ithaca
Holland Kaplan, FY, OH, Vassar
Jamie Koopman, Sr., MH, Ithaca
Malya Sayre, So., OH, William Smith
Elaina Wamhoff, Jr., S, William Smith
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE SECOND TEAM
Jazlin Chen, So., MH, Skidmore
Ella Graper, So., MB, Ithaca
Maura McAusland, FY, H, Vassar
Jaylynn McCarthy, So., MB/RS, William Smith
Sydney Neff, Sr., S, RIT
Georgia Pool, So., L, Union
Abigail Spector, Jr., L, Clarkson
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION
Isabelle Crow, Gr., S, Clarkson
Maddie McCarron, FY, MB, Union
Shannon McGrath, So., OH, Union
Vivian Zymeck, Sr., OH, St. Lawrence