In mid-September, Illinois State University head volleyball coach Sharon Dingman shuffled her lineup to create a starting spot for freshman outside hitter Savannah Knowles. That turned out to be a great move because Knowles' all-around play helped ISU rebound from a 5-10 start to win 13 of 16 down the stretch. The Missouri Valley Conference coaches recognized Knowles' value and elected her 2003 Freshman of the Year.
With 2.75 kills and 2.21 digs per game, Knowles was the only Valley freshman to averaged above 2.5 kills and 2.0 digs per game for the season. She stepped into a major role when teammate Laura Doornbos went down with an ankle injury in October, and did her best work against Valley foes, averaging 3.04 kills and 2.46 digs in league games.
Perhaps her best performance came with a career-high 22 kills in Illinois State's five-game win over No. 12 Northern Iowa last weekened. Knowles had the game-winning kill in all three Redbird winners in that match.
Dingman believes Knowles more than earned the citation.
"I wasn't surprised, but I am thrilled for Savannah," said Dingman, whose 18-13 Redbirds begin their 2003 State Farm-Missouri Valley Conference Tournament play at 12:30 p.m. Friday against Indiana State. "She was the freshman in the league who had the most impact on her team and on the league as well."
Earlier in the week, Knowles became the eighth Redbird player in 10 seasons to make the league's All-Freshman Team. She joins four-time Valley all-conference selection Kendra Haselhorst (1996) and current Redbird assistant coach Jenny Kabbes (1997) as Redbirds elected newcomer of the year.
Northern Iowa middle blocker Molly O'Brien and SMS middle Linette White were elected co-Players of the Year while Wichita State's Karen AUgspurger won the league's first Libero of the Year award. SMS head coach Melissa Stokes, who led the Bears to their first outright regular-season volleyball title since 1983, was chosen Valley Coach of the Year.
If Illinois State can get by Indiana State, the 'Birds would meet No. 1 seed and tournament host SMS at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Hammons Student Center. The championship match begins at 3 p.m. Saturday and will be broadcast over Fox Sports affiliates.
