University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Volleyball Announces Postseason Team Awards
2/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The Minnesota volleyball team announced its postseason awards at the team's postseason banquet. 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.
Junior middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer was named Minnesota’s 2009 Most Valuable Player. The junior middle blocker was the first Golden Gopher since Cassie Busse to receive the MVP honors in consecutive seasons. Gibbemeyer joins Busse (2002-03), Lindsey Berg (1998-2000), Nicole Branagh (1998-2000), Katrien DeDecker (1995-96), Andrea Gonzalez (1987-88) and Jill Halsted (1980-82) as one of seven Minnesota players to win the MVP honors in back-to-back seasons.
She was also named a First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten this past season. Gibbemeyer joined Halsted as the only Golden Gopher middle blocker to receive First-Team All-American honors. She finished the season 13th in the nation in blocks (1.42 blps) and 15th in hitting percentage (.385). Gibbemeyer was also third in the Big Ten in hitting percentage, third in blocks, seventh in points and ninth in kills. She was one of two players in the conference to appear in the top 10 in all four of those categories.
Senior libero Christine Tan received the Golddigger Award for the Minnesota Volleyball Booster Club. Tan was named First-Team All-Region, and also received Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten and All-America honors. She finished sixth in the Big Ten in digs at 3.86 dps. Tan also claimed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors three times on the season to move her career total to 10. She finished her career with the Golden Gophers sixth in career matches played and second in career digs.
Junior outside hitter Hailey Cowles received the Maurice Batie Award for Most Inspirational Player. Cowles joined Cassie Busse (2003), Paula Gentil (2004) and Erin Martin (2004) as one of four Golden Gophers in school history to claim Final Four All-Tournament honors. She averaged 1.46 kps and 2.71 dps, and had a team-high 12 kills while hitting .348 in the final match of the season against Texas. Cowles played the majority of the first 19 matches of the year as a defensive specialist, and took over at outside hitter for the final 18 matches of the year.
Freshman Mia Tabberson received the Gold Country Award for the highest GPA during the fall semester for a second year in a row. Tabberson averaged 7.22 aps, 0.89 dps and 0.41 blps in 15 matches this year at setter. Tabberson made several key starts in matches this year, including matches against No. 3 Washington and Northwestern.
This past season, Minnesota advanced to the Final Four for the third time in seven years. Overall, the Golden Gophers finished 28-9 and were third in the Big Ten at 15-5. Minnesota also finished No. 4 in the final AVCA Top 25 poll. The Golden Gophers return nine letterwinners to the 2010 team.
Junior middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer was named Minnesota’s 2009 Most Valuable Player. The junior middle blocker was the first Golden Gopher since Cassie Busse to receive the MVP honors in consecutive seasons. Gibbemeyer joins Busse (2002-03), Lindsey Berg (1998-2000), Nicole Branagh (1998-2000), Katrien DeDecker (1995-96), Andrea Gonzalez (1987-88) and Jill Halsted (1980-82) as one of seven Minnesota players to win the MVP honors in back-to-back seasons.
She was also named a First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten this past season. Gibbemeyer joined Halsted as the only Golden Gopher middle blocker to receive First-Team All-American honors. She finished the season 13th in the nation in blocks (1.42 blps) and 15th in hitting percentage (.385). Gibbemeyer was also third in the Big Ten in hitting percentage, third in blocks, seventh in points and ninth in kills. She was one of two players in the conference to appear in the top 10 in all four of those categories.
Senior libero Christine Tan received the Golddigger Award for the Minnesota Volleyball Booster Club. Tan was named First-Team All-Region, and also received Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten and All-America honors. She finished sixth in the Big Ten in digs at 3.86 dps. Tan also claimed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors three times on the season to move her career total to 10. She finished her career with the Golden Gophers sixth in career matches played and second in career digs.
Junior outside hitter Hailey Cowles received the Maurice Batie Award for Most Inspirational Player. Cowles joined Cassie Busse (2003), Paula Gentil (2004) and Erin Martin (2004) as one of four Golden Gophers in school history to claim Final Four All-Tournament honors. She averaged 1.46 kps and 2.71 dps, and had a team-high 12 kills while hitting .348 in the final match of the season against Texas. Cowles played the majority of the first 19 matches of the year as a defensive specialist, and took over at outside hitter for the final 18 matches of the year.
Freshman Mia Tabberson received the Gold Country Award for the highest GPA during the fall semester for a second year in a row. Tabberson averaged 7.22 aps, 0.89 dps and 0.41 blps in 15 matches this year at setter. Tabberson made several key starts in matches this year, including matches against No. 3 Washington and Northwestern.
This past season, Minnesota advanced to the Final Four for the third time in seven years. Overall, the Golden Gophers finished 28-9 and were third in the Big Ten at 15-5. Minnesota also finished No. 4 in the final AVCA Top 25 poll. The Golden Gophers return nine letterwinners to the 2010 team.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballDS/L
/ Volleyball2025 Season Recap
Tuesday, January 27
Best of Julia Hanson
Monday, December 22
Gophers Preview NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Tuesday, December 09
Cinematic Recap: Gophers Reach Sweet Sixteen
Tuesday, December 09