Jan. 20, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Junior setter Erin Lindsey, a 2007 second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree, was named the Redbirds' Dr. Linda Herman Most Valuable Player at the 2007 Illinois State volleyball banquet at Redbird Arena Sunday afternoon, highlighting a ceremony that celebrated ISU's record setting season, in which the Redbirds reached their first NCAA Tournament since the 1998 campaign. Freshman Mallory Leggett was named the team's Most Improved Player, while junior right side hitter M.C. Richmond and junior setter Jessica Pratapas were both honored with the respective Kristin Kueltzo Inspiration and Kelly Meisner Courage Awards. All four awards were voted on by the Redbirds' 14 players.
Lindsey ranked fourth in the Valley in set assists, providing 12.42 assists per game. She recorded 24 double-doubles (set assists-digs) on the season, and tallied her second career triple-double with 10 kills, 10 digs and a career-high 71 assists in a win over Northern Iowa (Oct. 6). Lindsey eclipsed both the 3,000 and 4,000 career assist plateaus, and enters her final season as a Redbird with 4,317 set assists, just 1,297 away from ISU's career record (5,614), held by Marisa Brickley (1995-98).
"In a year where several of our players could have received the Dr. Linda Herman Most Valuable Player Award, I think it is fitting and appropriate that Erin (Lindsey) is our recipient," said head coach Sharon Dingman. "Her leadership is very important to our team, but her ability to progress in running our offense has been remarkable. Erin puts a tremendous amount of pressure on herself and on her teammates, and is the heartbeat of our team."
Lindsey was humbled to be named the most valuable player of her team.
"I am so honored that my teammates have selected me for this award," Lindsey said when addressing the crowd of nearly 150 spectators. "To be associated with someone of the stature of Dr. Linda Herman, and what she means to this program, is truly humbling. This award could have gone to a number of players on this roster. I am the `middle-man,' and am fortunate to have some extremely talented passers and hitters surrounding me. They certainly make my job easier."
Leggett, a three-time Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week, ended the season with 357 kills (3.10 kpg) and 406 digs (3.53 dpg). She had 18 double-digit kill outings, including eight in the final 10 matches of the season. One of ISU's primary passers, Leggett totaled 13 double-doubles (kills-digs). She was named to the MVC All-Freshman team, and was a member of the State Farm MVC Tournament All-Tournament team.
Richmond, a first-team All-MVC honoree, earned the Kristin Kueltzo Most Inspiration 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 Valley champions.
One of the vocal leaders for the Redbirds, Richmond enjoyed her most prolific season in an Illinois State uniform. The right side hitter led the `Birds in kills (395), and ranked second in hitting percentage (.259), set assists (110), service aces (31) and points scored (463.5). She also totaled 422 digs. Despite playing through a stress fracture down the stretch of the season, Richmond recorded double-digit kill efforts in all three matches of the State Farm MVC Tournament.
Pratapas was tabbed the recipient of the Kelly Meisner Courage Award. She tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee last July during a pick-up scrimmage at the Horton Field House North Gym, and was forced to sit out the entire 2007 campaign. Pratapas, who also saw action as an outside hitter during the spring season, was slated to be ISU's back-up setter prior to the injury. Her rehabilitation process is continuing, but Pratapas is scheduled to make a full recovery and join the Redbirds for the 2008 campaign.
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.
2007 seniors Kristin Dziubla and Kari Staehlin were both honored with a framed jersey. ISU's various academic, all-conference and all-tournament selections were also recognized.
The Redbirds will return 10 letterwinners next season from a 2007 team that went 21-11 overall (11-7 MVC) and earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament after reaching the championship match of the Valley Tournament. Dingman also welcomes two highly heralded freshman recruits to the program next season.
