Jan. 12, 2009
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DAYTON, Ohio - Capping off their seventh consecutive 20-win season and earning the first at-large NCAA bid in program history, the University of Dayton Flyer women's volleyball team wrapped up its season with an awards banquet hosted on Saturday in the Boesch Lounge at the University of Dayton Arena.
Senior Bethany Akerhielm was named the White-Allen Most Valuable Player, while sophomore Tiffany Gaerke picked up the award for Most Improved. Seniors Kortney Norris and Mandy Robbe took home a share of the R. Elaine Dreidame Award given to a student-athlete that exemplifies the meaning of the word team. It is given to a player with tremendous character, who has the ability to put the team before themselves. Capping off the awards, sophomore Rachel Broerman received the Bring It! Award for fierce competition on and off the court during the course of the season.
A 2008 AVCA All- Regional selection, Akerhielm showed that she could compete at a high level night in and night out for the Flyers. Akerhielm ranked second on the team, averaging 2.73 kills per set and a .341 hitting percentage. This season, Akerhielm tallied 50 digs, while averaging 0.62 blocks per set for UD.
Norris found herself with a redefined role in 2008. Mired with an injury in her final season, Norris took on a mentoring role for the Flyers. Offering encouragement and advice every step of the way Norris' passion for the sport of volleyball never wavered as she helped Dayton to its fifth berth to the Big Dance.
Robbe, a tireless worker on the court and in the classroom, averaged 2.78 digs per set in her final season at UD. Robbe found herself in many different roles in 2008; from defensive specialist to starting Libero in the final month of the season, but never gave an inch on her competitive drive during those times.
Broerman finished the season averaging 1.02 digs per set in the defensive specialist role. Broerman saw action in 96 sets and connected on 95 percent of her serves for UD. Her tenacity on the court was matched by intensity in the weight room, Broerman continually brought her A-game no matter the challenge. Dayton finished its season 21-13 after posting an 11-2 Atlantic 10 Conference record in 2008. Head Coach Kelly Sheffield guided the program to its fifth ever spot in the NCAA Tournament, earning big wins over No.17 Illinois and Louisville during the course of the season.
