Fresno State Athletics
Five Bulldogs Honored at Season-End Banquet
1/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State volleyball team gathered among family, fans, staff and Bulldog supporters on Sunday afternoon for the first annual Side Out Club Awards Banquet held at Pardini's Catering and Banquets hall.
"Our first Side Out Club Awards Banquet and Fan Appreciation Luncheon was a huge success," head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell said. "Thank you to our fired-up board members - Denise Williams, Melanie Spiglmeyer, Merrily Wilson, Blake Williams and Tony Petrosino - for volunteering their time to improve the experience of our current student-athletes. We had several families and donors step up big for our program and we can't say enough how much we appreciate them."
The ‘Dogs junior libero, Maggie Eppright, captured three of the six awards given out at the event. As the lone Bulldog recognized by the conference with first-team All-Mountain West honors, Eppright's additional plaques included the 2015 Team Captain Award as well as being named the Most Coachable Award recipient.
"We finally handed out our well-earned awards from the promising 2015 season and Maggie [Eppright] was the big winner," Netherby-Sewell added. "She's the hardest worker in the gym and more committed to finding a way to win than any athlete I've coached."
Last fall, Eppright polished off the season with a league-leading 573 digs and a runner-up finish in regular season play (319), while garnering the team's highest national ranking at No. 35 in digs and No. 52 in digs per set (4.82), according to the final Division I NCAA Women's Volleyball Statistics. In prior years she's received Academic All-MW (2013-14) and CoSIDA Academic All-District (2014) for her success in the classroom, along with being a three-time all-tournament pick heading into her final Bulldog season – Western Carolina Tournament (2015), Fresno State Classic (2015), Jack Kaiser Classic (2014).
Similarly, junior outside hitter Aleisha Coates earned the Co-Captain tribute and was named one of three Fighting Spirit award winners. Upon her arrival in 2008, Netherby-Sewell introduced the "Fighting Spirit Award" that originated from Hofstra by Hall of Fame coach Fran Kalafer, who created the accolade in honor of her mother's courageous battle against cancer.
In addition to Coates, teammates Carly Scarbrough and Jacqueline Hutcheson were recognized as Fighting Spirit Award winners.
"The race for the Fighting Spirit Award, which goes to the athlete(s) who most often demonstrate poise in the face of adversity, was a tight one," Netherby-Sewell said. "However, Aleisha [Coates], Carly [Scarbrough] and Jacqueline [Hutcheson] earned the highly regarded award. We were inspired by their never-give-up attitude and even when they did fail themselves or the team, they got up, learned and moved forward."
The trio accounted for a combined total of 11 season game-highs among the 15-person Bulldog roster. Individually, Hutcheson made her way into the all-time single match top 10 with five service aces during a five-set battle against San Jose State (Sept. 24), Coates logged a team second-best eight double-doubles and Scarbrough paced the ‘Dogs in kills (339, 201 MW) along with points scored (220) during the regular season.
Of the eight additions Fresno State added in 2015, freshman middle blocker Gertu Vider was named the Top Newcomer as she accepted her role and continuously strived to improve her game.
"Lastly, Gertu [Vider], our resident Estonian earned the Top Newcomer award," Netherby-Sewell said. "She came a long way geographically and physically since her arrival. Gertu quietly improves each week and we're excited for her future."
After making her collegiate debut against MW opponent, Utah State (Oct. 1), Vider started the final 12 matches of the year and had a runner-up finish of 0.63 blocks per set over 18 conference matches, along with a top five figure in service aces (11) among her teammates.
Prior to Sunday's banquet, the squad returned to the court on Thursday, Jan. 21 to begin preparation for the 2016 season.
Fighting Spirit
Jacqueline Hutcheson
Carly Scarbrough
Aleisha Coates
Captains Award
Maggie Eppright
CO-Captain
Aleisha Coates
Top Newcomer
Gertu Vider
Most Coachable
Maggie Eppright
All-Conference
Maggie Eppright
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