TicketsMarch 4, 2007
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Senior setter Noel Olson was named most valuable player as the University of Cincinnati volleyball team capped off its 2006 season with a season-ending banquet on Saturday at the Montgomery Inn. Olson garnered the award after helping the Bearcats to a 22-7 record.
Olson (Wheaton, Ill./St. Francis) was a second team All-BIG EAST selection last fall and ranked second in the league with 12.71 assists per game. At the conclusion of her time at UC, Olson ranks second in school history in career assists and fifth in assists per game.
Classmate Myanna Hellsten (Austin, Texas/St. Michael's Academy) was the only multiple award winner as she was named co-best defensive player and was voted the winner of the Stephanie Rosfeld Memorial Award. The Rosfeld Memorial Award is voted on by UC players, coaches and staff and recognizes the Bearcat player who exemplifies the positive qualities and love for the program shown by the late Rosfeld. On the court in 2006, Hellsten was a second team all-conference selection and ranked fifth in the BIG EAST with 1.37 blocks per game.
Three other UC players were honored with special awards at the banquet. Freshman Jaime Frey (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon) shared the best defensive player award with Hellsten, while Jessie Nevitt (Kennesaw, Ga./Kennesaw Mountain) was the top offensive performer. Freshman Laurie Weber (Lorain, Ohio/Clearview) was honored with the most improved player accolade.
Frey moved into the starting line-up at the libero position after a season-ending injury to Natalie Dossman and responded by leading the BIG EAST with 5.43 digs per game. She set multiple school records for single match digs and set the school single season digs per game mark.
Nevitt, a sophomore, had another outstanding season, earning honorable mention All-American and first team All-BIG EAST honors for the second consecutive year. Nevitt ranked among the BIG EAST leaders in blocks per game (first-1.68) and hitting percentage (second-.367) and was second on the team with 3.25 kills per game.
Weber, a walk-on prior to the season, became an integral part of the Bearcats' success as a serving specialist. After playing in just one of the first nine matches of the season, Weber became a regular on the backline and finished the campaign tied for fourth on the team with 17 aces.
Cincinnati concluded the 2006 season capturing the program's 12th consecutive season with at least 20 wins. UC added a 10-4 mark in BIG EAST play to tie for third and was also the tournament champions at the Radisson Hotel Invitational.