Volleyball Team Holds 2004 Season-Ending Banquet

Dec. 6, 2004

Clemson volleyball announced its 2004 award winners at the annual season-ending banquet on Monday. The recipients of each of the following awards were chosen by team vote.

Senior captain Leslie Finn, a native of San Diego, CA, 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 helping achieve the team’s goals.

Finn had a year full of records and honors. The first-team All-ACC selection led the conference at 5.61 kills per game and 684 total. Her kills per game figure ranked among the nation’s best. She set the single-season record for kills, in addition to the Clemson career record (1,921 kills). She also posted 387 digs, second-most on the team this season.

Finn was also honored with the team’s Best Offensive Player award. The award recognizes the student-athlete who made the most significant contribution to the team’s success through her offensive play.

Senior Stephanie Haskell was honored with the Tiger Spirit award. 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 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.

Finn and Haskell shared the Dedication award, which is designed to recognize the athletes who, through dedication and commitment in the weight room, improved their performance on the court. The athletes chosen are not necessarily the strongest, but rather the ones who work the hardest in the weight room, in order to make themselves a better team player.

Sophomore Anna Vallinch, a libero from LaVista, NE, earned the Best Defensive Player award this season. This award is presented to the person who, in the eyes of the team, contributed significantly to the success of the team through her defensive skills. Vallinch set school single-season records with 620 digs and 5.04 digs per game.

Freshman Brittany Ross, from Sunrise, FL, was chosen the team’s Rookie of the Year. This 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. Ross set a school freshman record with 472 kills, third-best on the Tiger squad this season.