The Lehigh volleyball team marked the end of its season with its annual banquet on Sunday, Jan. 15 in the University Center. Three prestigious awards were presented to student-athletes who excelled, both on and off the court. The program included dinner, an awards presentation and time for reflection by coaches and players.
The Lehigh volleyball team placed nine student-athletes on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, the second most of any team in the League. The Mountain Hawks had a historic year on the court en route to earning a No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament, its highest seed since 2003. Lehigh was equally successful off the court as the nine named to the Honor Roll had an average GPA of 3.45.
Sophomore Rachel Charles was named the Patriot League Libero of the Year while junior Taylor Poole was named to the First Team All-League and seniors Angelika Kopacz and Jessica Kudirka were named to the Second Team All-League. The four of them have helped lead the Mountain Hawks to a No. 3 seed in this weekend’s Patriot League Tournament, Lehigh's second appearance in three years.
Sophomore Amanda Clark was named to the eight-member Academic All-Patriot League Team, as announced by the league on Wednesday. The Irvine, Calif. native ranks first in the Patriot League in blocks, averaging 1.11 per set and sixth in hitting percentage at a .272 clip. Not only has Clark been stellar on the court, but off of it as well as the Arts and Science major boasts a 3.85 GPA.
The Lehigh volleyball team will make its second Patriot League Tournament appearance in three years as the No. 3 seed Mountain Hawks face No. 2 Army Saturday at 5 p.m. in Washington, D.C. In 2009, Lehigh fell to Army in the semifinals. Lehigh hopes to avenge that loss and a pair of losses this season to the Black Knights as the Mountain Hawks will look for their first Tournament win since 2002.