Mountain Hawks reflect on historic season at annual banquet
1/19/2015 3:45:00 PM | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh volleyball team reflected on its 2014 season and handed out team awards with its annual banquet on Sunday, Jan. 18. The dinner and awards presentation included a season reflection by Patriot League Coach of the Year Bob Bertucci.
The Outstanding Athlete of the Year award, given to the team member who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team, was given to Mariah Brantley. Brantley was named the Patriot League Libero of the Year following her outstanding sophomore campaign. The libero set the Lehigh single-season digs record on Nov. 1 against Navy as she recorded her 489th dig of the season to surpass the previous record of 488 that was set in 1987 by Bonnie Bejsovec. Brantley finished the regular season with 600 digs, which currently ranks second on the Patriot League's all-time single-season digs leaderboard. Her 5.41 digs per set finished the season ranked 12th-best in all of Division I. In addition to her outstanding defense, Brantley led the Mountain Hawks with 35 service aces and also contributed 117 assists. The Ashburn, Va. native also earned a spot on the Academic All-Patriot League team and All-Tournament team following Lehigh's appearance in the league championship match.
The Coaches Award, given to the student athlete who made noteworthy contributions to the team in the areas of attitude, improvement and leadership, was awarded to junior Stephanie Slater. Slater stepped into a starting role as a right-side hitter this season and saw much success, earning first team All-Patriot League recognition at the conclusion of the season. Slater emerged as one of Lehigh's most consistent offensive weapons this season as the hitter tallied 265 kills and a .277 hitting percentage that ranked sixth in the league. The McDonald, Pa. native recorded an impressive .337 hitting percentage and 3.21 kills per set in Patriot League play to help Lehigh to a second-place finish and 14-2 league mark. Strong defensively as well, Slater also contributed 41 total blocks and 74 digs in addition to ten service aces and seven assists.
Bertucci presented the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award to three different Mountain Hawks who all embody the true meaning of the phrase student-athlete. Senior Jade Van Streepen and sophomores Morgan Lowe and Katie Jennison each earned the recognition. Van Streepen earned a spot on the Academic All-League team for the second-straight season in addition to being named first team All-Patriot League. The Environmental Engineering major boasts an impressive 3.90 cumulative grade point average. Lowe emerged as one of Lehigh's key offensive weapons this season, finishing third on the team in kills (173) even after missing part of the season due to injury. The Lancaster, Pa. native holds a strong 3.97 GPA in Lehigh's Business school. Jennison has registered an impressive 3.93 GPA as a bioengineering major throughout her time at Lehigh.
The Mountain Hawks finished the 2014 season with a 22-10 overall record and a 14-2 Patriot League mark. After finishing 2013 with a 20-9 record, Lehigh recorded back-to-back 20-win season for the first time since 1981 and 1982 and just the second time in program history. The Mountain Hawks set a program record for league wins in a single season (14), made their fourth-straight Patriot League Tournament appearance and first championship match appearance since 2002.
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The Outstanding Athlete of the Year award, given to the team member who makes the most outstanding athletic contribution to the accomplishments of the team, was given to Mariah Brantley. Brantley was named the Patriot League Libero of the Year following her outstanding sophomore campaign. The libero set the Lehigh single-season digs record on Nov. 1 against Navy as she recorded her 489th dig of the season to surpass the previous record of 488 that was set in 1987 by Bonnie Bejsovec. Brantley finished the regular season with 600 digs, which currently ranks second on the Patriot League's all-time single-season digs leaderboard. Her 5.41 digs per set finished the season ranked 12th-best in all of Division I. In addition to her outstanding defense, Brantley led the Mountain Hawks with 35 service aces and also contributed 117 assists. The Ashburn, Va. native also earned a spot on the Academic All-Patriot League team and All-Tournament team following Lehigh's appearance in the league championship match.
The Coaches Award, given to the student athlete who made noteworthy contributions to the team in the areas of attitude, improvement and leadership, was awarded to junior Stephanie Slater. Slater stepped into a starting role as a right-side hitter this season and saw much success, earning first team All-Patriot League recognition at the conclusion of the season. Slater emerged as one of Lehigh's most consistent offensive weapons this season as the hitter tallied 265 kills and a .277 hitting percentage that ranked sixth in the league. The McDonald, Pa. native recorded an impressive .337 hitting percentage and 3.21 kills per set in Patriot League play to help Lehigh to a second-place finish and 14-2 league mark. Strong defensively as well, Slater also contributed 41 total blocks and 74 digs in addition to ten service aces and seven assists.
Bertucci presented the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award to three different Mountain Hawks who all embody the true meaning of the phrase student-athlete. Senior Jade Van Streepen and sophomores Morgan Lowe and Katie Jennison each earned the recognition. Van Streepen earned a spot on the Academic All-League team for the second-straight season in addition to being named first team All-Patriot League. The Environmental Engineering major boasts an impressive 3.90 cumulative grade point average. Lowe emerged as one of Lehigh's key offensive weapons this season, finishing third on the team in kills (173) even after missing part of the season due to injury. The Lancaster, Pa. native holds a strong 3.97 GPA in Lehigh's Business school. Jennison has registered an impressive 3.93 GPA as a bioengineering major throughout her time at Lehigh.
The Mountain Hawks finished the 2014 season with a 22-10 overall record and a 14-2 Patriot League mark. After finishing 2013 with a 20-9 record, Lehigh recorded back-to-back 20-win season for the first time since 1981 and 1982 and just the second time in program history. The Mountain Hawks set a program record for league wins in a single season (14), made their fourth-straight Patriot League Tournament appearance and first championship match appearance since 2002.
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Players Mentioned
Libero
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