SportsVolleyball

Smith crowned Player of the Year

Kate Witte, NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Committee member from Ohio Northern, congratulates Amy Smith, the NCAA Division III Player of the Year. / photo by Adam Omernik
Kate Witte, NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Committee member from Ohio Northern, congratulates Amy Smith, the NCAA Division III Player of the Year. / photo by Adam Omernik

by Chrisy Zehrbach
Sports Editor

Amy Smith, senior outside hitter for the University of La Verne women’s volleyball team, was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Banquet Dec. 4 at the Ontario Convention Center.

Smith, a First Team All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference player and three-time SCIAC Female Athlete of the Week this season, had known she was an All-American selection, but was unaware until the announcement that she was Player of the Year.

“I don’t know how I’m feeling right now,” Smith said. “I’m still trying to gain control of my body.”

“I can feel my heart beating in my chest,” she said. “I’m shocked.”

When Smith’s name was skipped on the list of First-Team All-Americans, head coach Don Flora and assistant coach Randi Smart exchanged glances of excitement as they realized what it had meant.

“I wanted her to get it, but I didn’t think about it until it was going on tonight,” Smart said. “It’s such a fitting ending for her with everything that’s gone on, having never won an award in her three years.”

“She’s an amazing person and an amazing athlete. No one deserves it more than her,” said teammate Tricia Schary, junior.

Three Leopards were honored as All-Americans that evening. Schary, the SCIAC Player of the Year, was also recognized as a First-Team All-American Player.

“It feels wonderful,” Schary said. “I’m very excited. It’s an honor to win this award.”

Junior Amy Kratochvil was also honored at the banquet with a Second-Team All-American selection.

“It speaks a lot for our team to have three All-Americans,” Schary said. “That just shows that we’re a very powerful and driven team.”

“The three of them wouldn’t be on there without the strength of the team,” Smart said. “The girls are more focused on the team outcome than individual.”

Although she was extremely proud of the three All-Americans, Smart could not help but think the depth of her team could have yielded more La Verne selections.

“There are people missing on there in my opinion,” Smart said.

The same three players had been named to the All-West Region Team after their strong performances in regional playoffs.

Kratochvil earned this honor for the second year in a row and had been named West Region Freshman of the Year in 2001.

Amanda Thomas, junior setter, was given honorable mention All-West Region honors as well.

To round out ULV’s regional accolades, head coach Don Flora was named AVCA’s Division III West Region Coach of the Year.

The NCAA Championship Banquet was held to honor the teams competing in the Final Four, hosted by ULV, as well as all of the All American selections.

“I’m in awe of the talent in this room,” said ULV President Stephen Morgan.

The 23rd annual AVCA All-American awards were given to 36 athletes, 19 of which were present for the awards ceremony, even though only seven were members of the participating teams.

“You are the best of the best and all of us are very proud of you,” Morgan said. “We at the University of La Verne are proud to host you tonight.”

The banquet’s comfortable environment was a great way to kick off the championship weekend.

Even La Verne Mayor Jon Blickenstaff was present to welcome the participants to La Verne and wish the teams luck in their contests.

“The best part’s to come – a great two nights of volleyball,” Flora said. “We talked about playing volleyball the final nights of the year and we’re here. It’s a real tribute to all of you coaching staff and players. All of us will walk away with great memories.”

Chrissy Zehrbach, Editor in Chief
Chrissy Zehrbach
Other Stories
Adam Omernik, Photography Editor
Adam Omernik
Other Stories
Previous article
Pasadena Hilton hosts ULV winter formal
Next article
BCA sends students on Australian journey

Latest Stories

Related articles

Sports

Leopards beat familiar face in season opener

The Leopards’ women’s volleyball team secured an opening day victory Friday with a 3-0 sweep of the Southwestern Pirates, who are led by legendary former La Verne coach Don Flora.
News

Mayoral hopefuls face off

For the first time in eight years, the current mayor of La Verne faces an opponent in the mayoral election March 7.
Community News

Gold Line extension on ballot

The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority hosted an event to discuss the Metro Gold Line extension to Montclair – and the Los Angeles County ballot measure that would fund the project – last week in the Smith Campus Center at Pomona College.
News

‘Mr. La Verne’ left his mark on city

A longtime fixture in La Verne's public service sector, City Councilman Robert Rodriguez died July 6 from respiratory failure. He was 83 and in the middle of his eighth term on the council.