University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Volleyball Announces Postseason Team Awards
2/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The Minnesota volleyball team announced its postseason awards at the team banquet on Saturday, Feb. 9. Minnesota’s team awards included the team MVP, the Maurice Batie Award for most inspirational player, the Golddiggers Booster Club Award and the Gold Country Award for the highest GPA during the fall semester.
Christine Tan was named Minnesota’s 2007 Most Valuable Player and also received the Golddigger Award for the Minnesota Volleyball Booster Club. The sophomore libero was fourth in the Big Ten in digs per game at 4.70, and also fourth in conference contests in digs per game. Tan joined Paula Gentil (2002-05) and Malama Peniata (2003-06) as one of only three Golden Gophers to record over 500 digs in a season. This past season, Tan received Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice, claiming the honors on Oct. 1 and Nov. 19.
Kelly Roysland received the Maurice Batie Award for Most Inspirational Player. Roysland was fourth on the team in digs with 2.08 dpg and third in assists with 0.32 apg. This past year, she became the first Golden Gopher athlete to play women’s basketball and women’s volleyball in a career at Minnesota since 1979. She was one of a select few players nationally to compete for a top-10 women’s basketball and women’s volleyball program. With the Golden Gophers’ selection to the 2007 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament, she also became the first athlete in school history to play in both the women’s basketball and women’s volleyball tournament.
Katie Vatterrodt received the Gold Country Award for the highest GPA during the fall semester. Vatterrodt is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. This past season, she averaged 1.13 kpg and 0.58 blpg in 27 matches. Vatterrodt’s best match of the year came against Iowa when she had 14 kills and three bocks on Oct. 31. She finished the year as one of Minnesota’s primary options at the right-side hitter spot.
This past year, Minnesota went 18-13 and finished tied for third in the Big Ten at 11-9. It was the eighth time in nine years that the Golden Gophers finished third or higher in the conference. Minnesota also qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the ninth year in a row, making it one of only 13 programs nationally to accomplish that feat.
Christine Tan was named Minnesota’s 2007 Most Valuable Player and also received the Golddigger Award for the Minnesota Volleyball Booster Club. The sophomore libero was fourth in the Big Ten in digs per game at 4.70, and also fourth in conference contests in digs per game. Tan joined Paula Gentil (2002-05) and Malama Peniata (2003-06) as one of only three Golden Gophers to record over 500 digs in a season. This past season, Tan received Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice, claiming the honors on Oct. 1 and Nov. 19.
Kelly Roysland received the Maurice Batie Award for Most Inspirational Player. Roysland was fourth on the team in digs with 2.08 dpg and third in assists with 0.32 apg. This past year, she became the first Golden Gopher athlete to play women’s basketball and women’s volleyball in a career at Minnesota since 1979. She was one of a select few players nationally to compete for a top-10 women’s basketball and women’s volleyball program. With the Golden Gophers’ selection to the 2007 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament, she also became the first athlete in school history to play in both the women’s basketball and women’s volleyball tournament.
Katie Vatterrodt received the Gold Country Award for the highest GPA during the fall semester. Vatterrodt is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. This past season, she averaged 1.13 kpg and 0.58 blpg in 27 matches. Vatterrodt’s best match of the year came against Iowa when she had 14 kills and three bocks on Oct. 31. She finished the year as one of Minnesota’s primary options at the right-side hitter spot.
This past year, Minnesota went 18-13 and finished tied for third in the Big Ten at 11-9. It was the eighth time in nine years that the Golden Gophers finished third or higher in the conference. Minnesota also qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the ninth year in a row, making it one of only 13 programs nationally to accomplish that feat.
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