January 13, 2004
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Seniors Beth Crowley and Brette Bower have been selected co-winners of the "Most Valuable Player" honor for the 2003 Illinois Wesleyan University volleyball team.
Crowley, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Bloomington (Normal West HS), earned honorable mention Division III All-American on the team chosen by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and was College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin "Player of the Year."
A first team all-CCIW selection, Crowley had 514 kills, the third most in a single season at IWU, and was third in digs (424) and fifth in blocks (52). She was chosen to the all-tournament teams at UW-LaCrosse, in two IWU-hosted tournaments, and the CCIW tournament.
She finished her career with 1,533 kills, making her third all-time at IWU. She is also fifth in career digs (1,147), 12th in service aces (129), and 17th in blocks (120).
Bower (Palatine HS) also earned the "Titan Volleyball Strength Award" for the second straight year. A setter and first team all-CCIW player, Bower led the league and team in assists (13.38) and service aces per game (.67). She finished her career 12th all-time in digs at IWU with 1,022 and was 13th in service aces (127) and 20th in blocks (142).
The Titans finished with a 26-11 overall mark and were 6-1 in winning the regular season phase of the CCIW this fall. IWU placed fourth in the conference tournament.
Junior Kristy White (Dubuque, Iowa, Wahlert HS) was the winner of the team's "Most Inspirational Player" honor for the second straight season, while freshman outside hitter Crystal Dye (Springfield, Southeast HS) was chosen as the team's "Most Improved Player."
White was fourth on the team with 403 digs and was second in service aces (44) and set assists (167).
Dye had 32 kills and 39 digs in 21 games.
White and junior outside hitter Christine Konopasek (Chicago, Marian Catholic HS) were elected to serve as co-captains for the 2004 Titans.
Konopasek was second on the team with 314 kills, was fifth in digs (335) and fourth with 55 blocks.
Head coach Kim Nelson-Brown awarded letters to 12 players, 10 of whom will return for next season. They are, with hometowns and high schools:
- SENIORS - Brette Bower (Palatine HS), Beth Crowley (Bloomington, Normal West HS).
- JUNIORS - Christine Konopasek (Chicago, Marian Catholic HS), Kristy White (Dubuque, Iowa, Wahlert HS).
- SOPHOMORES - Lindsay Clements (Mt. Pulaski HS), Molly May (Mt. Prospect HS), Carmen Simkins (Novi, Mich. HS).
- FRESHMEN - Crystal Dye (Springfield, Southeast HS), Colleen Ernst (Lemont, Montini Catholic HS), Melissa Serritella (St. Charles, North HS), Jaclyn Verticchio (Jacksonville HS), Nicole Walsh (Lemont HS).
