Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Hand Out Postseason Awards
4/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
2009 Season-In-Review
MOUNT PLEASANT -- The Central Michigan volleyball team held its end-of-the-year banquet last weekend, handing out its team awards after a 2009 campaign that continued to reshape the perception of the Chippewas' program both around the Mid-American Conference and the nation.
Alexis Lonneman earned the team's highest honor, the MVP award. Lonneman became the first Chippewa to eclipse the 2,000-career digs mark and now holds three of the top-five single-season dig totals in program history.
She also earned the Academic Award, given to the team member with the highest cumulative GPA. Lonneman, a finance major, boasts a 3.81 GPA.
Samantha Brawley earned the Spirit Award, given to the player who lifts the team's attitude throughout the season.
Katie Schuette was named the team's Most Improved, given to the player who makes the biggest strides from the start of the season until the end.
Lisa Johnson was given the Marcy Weston Unsung Hero Award, given to the player who most positively impacts the team in areas off the court in addition to a significant contribution on the court.
Johnson was also named the latest recipient of the Coaches Award, given to the player who best exemplifies passion, heart, coachability and consistent performance.
The Chippewas (17-13) posted their fourth-consecutive winning season under sixth-year head coach Erik Olson, the first winning stretch of that length since the program's first 13 campaigns under Marcy Weston, a winning streak that lasted from 1974-86. CMU is 75-47 in its last four seasons.
The Maroon and Gold also finished second in the Mid-American Conference West Division for the third straight year and reached the semifinals of the MAC Tournament for the first time since 1996.
