July 14, 2011
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State head softball coach Melinda Fischer announced the 2011 team award winners, as well as the captains for the 2012 season Thursday afternoon. Four individual players and the entire senior class were recipients of awards for their contributions during the 2011 season.
Former Redbird Kara Nelson was selected as the team's most valuable player and best offensive player. Nelson led ISU with a .417 batting average, 80 hits, 41 runs and a .462 on-base percentage. The 2011 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year became the first player in Illinois State softball history to reach the 300-hit plateau, ending her career with 301 hits. She established new ISU career records for hits (301), doubles (49), runs scored (189), games started (223), total bases (435), at bats (750) and batting average (.401). Nelson also became the first-ever Redbird softball player drafted in a professional softball draft, when she was selected in the fifth round of the National Pro Fastpitch rookie draft in February.
Another former Redbird, Abby Olson, was named the team's best defensive player. Olson started all 55 games at third base and committed just six errors in 203 chances for a .970 fielding percentage. The Hartsburg, Ill., native also contributed with her bat and led Illinois State with 15 home runs, 12 doubles and a .688 slugging percentage. Olson finished her career at ISU with a career-record 52 homers and set single-season records for home runs (19), RBI (56) and walks (38) in 2010.
Senior Caiti Kopp was honored as the most improved player after hitting .253 with six home runs and 21 RBI in 79 plate appearances. Kopp also made big contributions behind the plate by committing just two errors as a catcher and throwing out five opposing base runners. In 2010, Kopp hit .171 with a homer and two RBI in 21 appearances.
Senior Liz Andrews was selected as the team's newcomer of the year. The Heartland Community College transfer ranked third on the team with a .333 batting average, 31 RBI and eight homers. The Algonquin, Ill., native slugged .582 in her first season as a Redbird and led all ISU outfielders with seven defensive assists. Andrews earned All-MVC First-Team accolades and was named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpich Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Mideast Region Second Team last season.
The 2011 senior class of Chrissy Burton, Nelson, Olson and Jessica Roche were selected by the coaching staff as recipients of the Redbird Award. The award was given in honor of their completion of four years in the ISU softball program and for their citizenship, leadership and dedication to Redbird softball. Each member of the 2011 class played pivotal roles, both on and off the field, which contributed to the success of the 2011 season that resulted in a MVC regular-season championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance.
Fischer also announced that seniors Megan Warner and Kopp, along with juniors Lauren Kellar and Elizabeth Kay would serve as captains for the 2012 season.
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