Tiger Volleyball Team Honored at Banquet

March 7, 2000

CLEMSON, SC – The 1999 Clemson volleyball team was honored at a banquet on Clemson’s campus last weekend. The recipients of each of the following awards were chosen by team vote.

Senior Cindy Stern of Cincinnati, OH, was chosen the team’s Most Valuable Player. The MVP award recognizes the student-athlete who by virtue of her athletic talents made the most visible impact on the team during the season. Selected by her teammates, this honoree’s contributions were deemed the most valuable in achieving the team’s goals. A second-team All-American, Stern was chosen the ACC Player of the Year in 1999.

Junior Heidi Cooper of Clemson was honored with the 3.0 Passer Award, given annually to the player who earns the highest passing percentage during the entire season. The award, which Cooper won for the second-straight season, is based on the accuracy of the serve receive pass only. Cooper also earned the Best Defensive Player Award, which is presented to the person who, in the eyes of the team, contributed significantly to the team’s success through her defensive skills.

Senior Alison Coday of Springfield, MO, was chosen the Best Offensive Player, which recognizes the student-athlete who made a significant contribution to the team’s success through her offensive play. Coday, a member of the 1999 All-ACC first team, earned this award for the second-consecutive season.

Senior Emily Gorla of St. Peters, MO, won the Tiger Spirit Award for the fourth-straight year. This award recognizes the player who made a special contribution to the team throughout the season. Because of her achievements as a student and an athlete, this player symbolizes a standard of excellence e to which all other athletes aspire. Always seeking to bring out the best in her teammates, the winner of this award unselfishly devotes herself to reaching the team’s goals and inspiring the team.

Freshman Jessi Betcher of Boulder, CO, was chosen the team’s Rookie-of-the-Year. The award recognizes the player who, in her first year of competition at Clemson, contributed the most to the success of the team. Selected by her teammates, this player is essential in every aspect of the game. Betcher was a member of the AVCA All-District team and was honored as the District III Freshman of the Year.

Sophomore Jodi Steffes of Elwood, IL, earned the Best Practice Player Award. This award recognizes the player who competes and trains hard everyday. This honors the player who pushes her teammates to excel and to compete at their highest level.

Clemson concluded the 1999 season with a 31-3 overall record and won its first ACC regular season title. The Tigers earned their fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament in seven seasons and finished the season with the nations’ ninth-best RPI rating.