Each year the team votes on three awards: Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved. Then I get to select two awards which is never an easy task; especially this year when our team leadership was so sound and everyone was committed to making the season successful. The two awards I get to choose are the Leadership Award and the Hartzmark Commitment Award. Obvisously, the leadership award recipient is someone who exemplifies everything a team leader should be. The Hartzmark Commitment Award is named in honor of John Hartzmark who served as a student assistant during his Hiram days and gave so much time and energy to improving our team and program. This award is given to the person who really goes above and beyond with their commitment and work ethic. Both of these awards were well represented this year, but it didn't make choosing the recipients that much easier!
Tiffany Shields was voted as the team's Offensive Player of the Year. Tiffany had a break out year and led the team in scoring with 14 points per game. She also led the team in blocked shots. Congrats Tiff!
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| Tiffany Shields was voted the Offensive Player of the Year! |
For the third consecutive year, Kelsey Durichko was voted the team's Defensive Player of the Year. Kelsey led the team in steals and tied for the lead in rebounding with 6.5 per game! She also broke the single season assist record! Congrats Kelsey!
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| Kelsey Durichko, Defensive Player of the Year. |
First year player, Danielle Day, was voted the team's Most Improved Player. Danielle did a great job of working hard and continuing to improve throughout the season and earned more playing time as the season progressed. We are looking forward to more of Danielle's contributions in the future!
I selected Jess Cowan as the recipient of the Leadership Award. Jess was a fantastic senior leader for our team. She did a great job of motivating and leading by example to a very young team. Of our 15 players on the team, 12 were either first or second year players. Jess was terrific in working with your younger players to help them understand what it takes to be successful at the college level. We will truly miss Jess's leadership!
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| Jess Cowan and Coach Preston at the banquet. |
Chelsea Kovach was awarded the Hartzmark Commitment Award. Chelsea is always working and pushing herself to get better. On and off the court, Chelsea is a great ambassador for our program. Her hard work truly paid off this year as she had a break out season and recorded a career high 21 points against Ohio Wesleyan. I am very excited for her future with our team! A much deserving individual!
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| Chelsea Kovach knocking in a couple of her 21 points v. OWU. |
