Nanook Volleyball Team Announces Post-Season Awards
FAIRBANKS, AK- Senior outside hitter Mallory Bergstrom (Bend, OR/Bend HS) was named Most Valuable Player as the University of Alaska Fairbanks' volleyball team announced their post-season awards for the 2004 season.
Bergstrom, who was named second team All-Region by Daktronics, honorable mention All-Region by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, was a unanimous All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference selection, and was named Academic All-Conference, was named MVP and Best Offensive Player, earned the PHD Award for Pride, Hustle and Desire, and was one of three student-athletes who received an Ace Student award. Junior libero Crystal Wheelock (Anchorage, AK/Bartlett HS) and sophomore setter Dasa Capova (Prague, Czech Republic/U. of Economics), both of whom received Academic All-Conference honors, also received Ace Student Awards.
Wheelock received the Most Improved Player Award, Wheelock and senior middle blocker Carlin Smith (Brea, CA/Brea Olinda HS) were named the Best Defensive Players, freshman middle blocker Mallory McCormick (Regina, SK/Balfour HS) was named the Most Improved Player, and freshman outside hitter Jenna Jones (Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) was named the Unsung Hero.
Junior setter Kayleen Stenehjem (Anchorage, AK/Dimond HS) received the Assistant Coach's Award from Assistant Coach Bev Krupa, and Krupa received the Head Coach's Award from Head Coach Phil Shoemaker. Wheelock, sophomore outside hitter Danielle Hitzeman (Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS) and sophomore middle blocker Erica Starr (Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS) received the Miss Fit Award for the best performances in the Nanooks' summer training program.
The volleyball team's booster club, the Spike Club, also handed out its 2004 awards. The Newcomer of the Year Award went to UAF Chancellor Dr. Steve Jones and his wife, Judy Jones. Andy Lynch of KTVF-TV, Channel 11, received the Outstanding Media Award, Mark Tomlinson received the Distinguished Service Award, and John and Vicky Hill of Auto Service Company received the Outstanding Sponsor Award.
Keith and Debbie Hitzeman and Mary and Skip Blandford received the Fan of the Year Awards, Dani Raap received the Energizer Bunny Award, and trainer Masa Morita received the Secret Service Award.
"Obviously, we want to recognize our players at the end of the year for all the good things they accomplished," said Shoemaker. "We also want to recognize the people in the department and the people in the community who are essential to our success."
-UAF VOLLEYBALL-
