BRISTOL, R.I.- The RWU Hawks Women's Volleyball Team held its annual season-ending banquet Saturday, celebrating its record-breaking season and its TCCC Conference Championship and NCAA National Tournament appearance.
Family and friends gathered at the Baypoint Inn and Conference Center in Portsmouth, R.I., to enjoy the evening and reminisce about the season along with the 17 team-members and the coaches. Following the dinner portion of the evening, the team's tri-captains, Michelle Beatrice (Medfield, Mass.), Rebekah Dion (Old Saybrook, Conn.) and Kristina Dolan (Glenmont, N.Y.) addressed the group with comments reflecting on the many successes of the season.
“We also want to thank all the parents and family who supported us all season,” they continued. “Thanks to our team managers and our coaches and especially to each and every one of our teammates because we needed every single player to make this season such a success.”
Head Coach Bret Stothart followed-up with his comments, congratulating the players on their hard work and reminding them of all the improvements made over the previous season.
“Last year we had a pretty successful season with a 22-14 record, but you all put in the work necessary this off-season to make this season even better. Our hitting percentage went from .182 to .205, our kills-per-game went from 9.98 to 11.19, our assists-per-game went from 8.52 to 10.11, our digs-per-game went from 12.21 to 13.75… that is all a credit to your work ethic and focus this season.”
Stothart went on to thank the four seniors for their dedication and commitment to the Hawks Volleyball Program. Beatrice, Dolan, Caryn Lecca (Ludlow, Mass.) and Laura Scott (Chelmsford, Mass.) combined for over 1,000 games played throughout their careers.
The team also handed out its annual year-end awards, as voted on solely by the players. Dolan was voted the team's Most Valuable Player having led the team in kills (292), kills-per-game (2.63) and hitting percentage (.308).
Junior Jill Hurd (Sunapee, N.H.) earned the team's IronWoman Award as the team's hardest worker. Often sacrificing her body for digs, Hurd was runner-up for TCCC Libero of the Year despite leading the TCCC with 4.58 digs-per-game.
Dion won the Hawks Teammate of the Year Award as the individual players are most proud to have as a teammate and who best represents RWU Hawks Volleyball. As a junior, Dion served as tri-captain and proved her selflessness in accepting the award saying she was the lucky one to have such amazing teammates that she knew she could always count on, no matter what.
The players now prepare for final exams before heading home for Winter Break, lasting from Dec. 15 to Jan. 27. Next semester the team will be together for community service projects, fundraising opportunities and supporting fellow RWU Athletic Teams while training on their own in preparation for the non-traditional spring season beginning after Spring Break in late March.
