Nov. 29, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's volleyball team saw four of its members earn Big Ten postseason honors, as the Big Ten conference announced its annual awards on Tuesday afternoon.
The group was headlined by junior classmates Simone Lee and Haleigh Washington, both of which were unanimous selections to the All-Big Ten Team. Freshmen Tori Gorrell and Kendall White both landed on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Lee paced Penn State's offense throughout the season, averaging 4.17 kills per set, good for best in the Big Ten. The junior had a standout season on offense, posting 455 total kills, ranking fifth in single season kills during the 25-point rally scoring era. She also added 170 digs, 53 blocks and 15 service aces over the season. Lee was also named the ESPNW National Player of the Week on Oct. 12 following a 30-kill performance against then No. 1 Minnesota. The honor marks Lee's first time being names to the All-Big Ten Team.
Washington continues to be one of the most consistent hitters in the college game, leading Penn State and the Big Ten while ranking second in the nation in hitting percentage with a startling .438 clip. The percentage is also the best among all players from Power Five institutions. Washington has led the team in blocks, posting 124 total while adding 265 total kills, good for second on the team. The Colorado Springs, Colorado native added 69 digs on the season and 24 service aces, good for second best on the team. The selection marks Washington's fourth annual Big Ten honor - she was a unanimous All-Big Ten selection in 2015 and named B1G Freshman of the Year as well as a member of the All-Big Ten Team in 2014.
Gorrell, a redshirt freshman middle blocker, earned a spot on the All-Freshman team after posting 185 kills and a team second-best 110 total blocks. With 21 solo rejections, Gorrell leads the team and is just three short of ranking tied for fifth in the 25-point rally scoring era for Penn State. Gorrell's 110 blocks were also good for second best among freshmen in the Big Ten.
White started all of the 2016 season at libero for the Nittany Lions, leading the team's back row defense with 438 total digs. Averaging 4.18 digs per set in conference play, White finished third in the conference behind Illinois' Brandi Donnelly and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Justine Wong-Orantes. White added 69 assists and 11 aces during the regular season of her rookie campaign.
In addition to the four members to earn All-Big Ten honors, senior Laura Borerman was selected as Penn State's Sportsmanship Award honoree for her contributions to the team on and off the court.
The Nittany Lions return to the court on Friday, Dec. 2, in the first round of the NCAA volleyball tournament inside Rec Hall at 7:30 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets for the first round match here or by calling 1-800-NITTANY. Additionally, the first 200 students will receive free admission to the first round match.
ALL-BIG TEN
Ali Bastianelli, So., MB, ILL
Jordyn Poulter, So., S, ILL
ABBY COLE, Sr., MB, MICH
Alyssa Garvelink, Jr., MB, MSU
SARAH WILHITE, Sr., OH MINN
SAMANTHA SELIGER-SWENSON, So., S, MINN
Hannah Tapp, Sr., MB, MINN
Kelly Hunter, Jr., S, NEB
Amber Rolfzen, Sr., MB, NEB
KADIE ROLFZEN, Sr., OH, NEB
JUSTINE WONG-ORANTES, Sr., L, NEB
TAYLOR SANDBOTHE, Sr., MB, OSU
Simone Lee, Jr., OH, PSU
Haleigh Washington, Jr., MB, PSU
DANIELLE CUTTINO, Jr., OH, PUR
LAUREN CARLINI, Sr., S, WIS
Haleigh Nelson, Sr., MB WIS
Tionna Williams, So., MB, WIS
HONORABLE MENTION
Brandi Donnelly, Jr., L, ILL
Jazzmine McDonald, Sr., MB, IND
Loxley Keala, Sr., S, IOWA
Gia Milana, Fr., OH, MD
MacKenzi Welsh, Fr., S, MICH
Autumn Bailey, Jr., OH, MSU
Rachel Minarick, Jr., S, MSU
Molly Lohman, Jr., MB, MINN
Mikaela Foecke, So., OH, NEB
Briana Holman, Jr., MB, NEB
Symone Abbott, Jr., OH, NU
Taylor Hughes, So., S, OSU
Faye Adelaja, Sr., MB, PUR
Molly Haggerty, Fr., OH, WIS
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Jacqueline Quade, OH, ILL
GIA MILANA, OH, MD
MacKenzi Welsh, S, MICH
Alexis Hart, OH, MINN
Tori Gorrell, MB, PSU
Kendall White, L, PSU
MOLLY HAGGERTY, OH, WIS
Unanimous selections in CAPS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sarah Wilhite, MINN
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Justine Wong-Orantes, NEB
SETTER OF THE YEAR
Samantha Seliger-Swenson, MINN
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Molly Haggerty, WIS
COACH OF THE YEAR (COACHES AND MEDIA)
John Cook, NEB
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Katie Stadick, ILL
Jessica Leish, IND
Ashley Mariana, IOWA
Samantha Higginbothem, MD
Kelly Murphy, MICH
Alyssah Fitterer, MSU
Paige Tapp, MINN
Brooke Smith, NEB
Caleigh Ryan, NU
Kylie Randall, OSU
Faye Adelaja, PUR
Laura Broerman, PSU
Mikaela Matthews, RU
Tori Blake, WIS