Jan. 20, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - Sophomore right side hitter Mary Catherine Richmond, a 2006 first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree, was named the Redbirds' Dr. Linda Herman Most Valuable Player at the 2006 Illinois State volleyball banquet at Redbird Arena Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Katie Seyller was named the team's Most Improved Player, while ISU seniors Manoela Vieira DaCunha and Jessie Janik were both honored with the Kelly Meisner Courage and Kristi Kueltzo Inspiration Awards, respectively.
In Richmond's first full season as a starter, she quickly turned into one of the most dominant middle blockers in the Valley. She recorded double-digit kill efforts in 22 of ISU's 29 matches, and ranked second on the team in total blocks (93.0). She recorded a dominating end to the MVC regular season, collecting a career-high 23 kills in ISU's four-game win at Wichita State (Nov. 17, 2006), and a career-best seven block assists in the five-game win over Missouri State (Nov. 18, 2006).
Seyller became a permanent starter on ISU's front row on Sept. 23 in a win over Southern Illinois, and never looked back. In those 18 starts, Seyller averaged 2.08 kills and 1.26 blocks-per-game, and the Redbirds were 13-5 in the stretch. She had a breakout performance in Illinois State's five-game win over visiting Saint Louis (Sept. 26) with 13 blocks, tying the second-best single-match effort in program history. Seyller ended the regular season ranked eighth in the Valley in blocks-per-game (1.14).
The Kelly Meisner Courage Award went to Redbird senior outside hitter DaCunha. Despite battling a season-long back injury, the Recife, Brazil native appeared in 25 matches, and recorded three starts on the outside. She had two double-digit kill matches, including a 13-kill effort in a four-game win over Drake (Sept. 30, 2006). DaCunha also recorded 126 digs on the season.
The Kelly Meisner Courage Award honors the former Redbird volleyball player who stayed with the team despite battling cancer throughout her college days. Meisner lost her battle with cancer in 1996. DaCunha was not present to accept the award, as she was attending a family wedding in Brazil.
Janik, a defensive specialist turned outside hitter, earned the Kristin Kueltzo Most Inspirational Player Award. The award recognizes Kristin Kueltzo Zvonar, a Redbird player from 1993-96 who gave up a starting position to strengthen her team, still serving as an inspirational leader for the 1996 Missouri Valley Conference champions.
Janik recorded 13 double-digit dig efforts on the season, including 10 of Illinois State's final 11 matches. She had a career-high 28 digs in the Redbirds' first win at Wichita State (Nov. 17) since 2001, and collected a career-best 11 kills in a five-game, come-from-behind win at Valparaiso on Oct. 17, 2006 in her first start as an outside hitter.
Janik was recognized with the athletic department's highest honor at the State Farm Academic Excellence Banquet, as she was named the Dr. Linda Herman 2006 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was also the recipient of the inaugural Dr. Linda Herman Endowment last June.
Illinois State's six all-tournament team selections, three Missouri Valley Conference Players of the Week and five all-conference selections were also recognized at the ceremony.
The Redbirds will return 10 letterwinners next season from a 2006 team that went 17-13 overall and 11-7 in Valley play. ISU head coach Sharon Dingman also welcomes three front row freshmen recruits to the program next season.
