For every fan of FIU Volleyball, this seasons awards and accolades must not come as a major surprise seeing that we have all been witnesses to a special season.
Danijela Tomic won Coach of the Year and Yarimar Rosa won Player of the Year at the Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Awards Banquet on Wednesday night at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Miami.
The Newcomer of the Year award went to junior Isadora Rangel, who also made the All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team. Joining her was sophomore Natalia Valentin.
Coach Tomic has led FIU to a school-record 26 wins in her fourth season as head of the Golden Panther program. It is the second coach of the year honor for her, last winning it in 2006.
“I wouldn’t be able to get this award without my assistants Eve Rackham, Trevor Theroulde, Dave Garcia and Lori Woodard (athletic trainer),” said Tomic. “They have been a great addition to this program and a lot of people don’t realize that it’s not just one person. It takes everybody involved in this program and they are a big part of this award.”
Rosa (pictured right), a 5-10 outside hitter, picks up the award after being named the preseason player of the year in August. The Vega Baja, Puerto Rico native also picked up First Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. She leads the nation is kills per set (5.27) and has been a big part of FIU’s conference winning season.
“I don’t think there is anybody more deserving of this award,” said Tomic. “She has been dominant all season long and I’m so happy that other coaches recognize that. There are so many good players in our conference, but in my opinion, Yari is the most complete player, and she is well deserving of this honor."
Rangel, a transfer from Kansas, joined Rosa as an offensive threat this season. She is a 6-1 outside hitter and is second on the team with 2.95 kills per set.
“I think it’s a big honor for her. She has been a big difference maker on our team. I don’t think without her that we would be where we are. I don’t think we would have accomplished what we did this year without her on the team.”
Valentin, a 5-7 setter, is leading the team in assists with 10.92. She also has 46 aces to lead the team as well as averaging 2.66 digs per set.
“I’m so thrilled that they (SBC coaches) recognized her worth, and how much she brings to our team. She doesn’t let our team quit. She has improved so much from last year as a setter, and she has also embraced a role of our emotional leader on and off the court.”
The awards were voted on by the leagues 13 coaches. No coach was allowed for vote for their own player.
Five Golden Panthers received academic awards. Senior Mariana Drumeva and sophomore Ines Medved made the Commissioners’ Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.50 or better. Rosa, Valentin and senior Vanessa Romano earned honors on the Academic Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.00 to 3.49.
ALL-SUN BELT CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Amila Barakovic, UALR
Emmy Davidsmeyer, Denver
Yarimar Rosa, FIU
Ashley Asberry, Middle Tennessee
Leslie Clark, Middle Tennessee
Dobrilla Kovacevic, New Orleans
Lindsey Loyd, New Orleans
Megan Argabright, WKU
SECOND TEAM
Anita Bucur, UALR
Cayla Fielder, Arkansas State
Holly Benson, Denver
Natalia Valentin, FIU
Isadora Rangel, FIU
Izabela Kozon, Middle Tennessee
Brittany Bowen, WKU
Julia Noe, WKU
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - Isadora Rangel, FIU
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR - Cayla Fielder, Arkansas State
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Amy Hafner, UALR
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Yarimar Rosa, FIU
COACH OF THE YEAR - Danijela Tomic, FIU
Special Thank to FIU.Com - Click on our FIU link to get more info on the Sun-Belt Conference Tournament Starting today, Nov. 20th - 22nd.
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