29 November 2000
CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206
Hamblin Repeats as Titan Volleyball "MVP"
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. For the second straight season, setter Tiffany Hamblin has been tabbed "Most Valuable Player" for the Illinois Wesleyan University volleyball team.
Hamblin, a Bloomington High School graduate who was a first team all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection, paced the Titans with 1,145 set assists, 54 service aces and 389 defensive digs. She also had 110 kills with a .316 hitting percentage.
"Tiffany did a great job for us again this year," said IWU coach Kim Nelson-Brown, whose team finished 23-14 overall and were third in the CCIW final standings. "She made plays happen for us and her injury at the conference tournament was a disappointment. We expect another outstanding two years from her."
For the fourth straight season, senior co-captain Maggie Erlenbaugh (Chicago, Regina Dominican HS) was the winner of the team's "Most Inspirational Player" honor, while freshman outside hitter Beth Crowley (Bloomington, Normal West HS) was chosen as the team's "Most Improved Player."
A defensive specialist, Erlenbaugh was second on the 2000 team with 371 digs and had 20 service aces. She finished her career No. 2 in IWU volleyball history with 1,165 digs.
"Maggie was a unanimous selection as our most inspirational player and she was very deserving," said Nelson-Brown. "In our individual postseason meetings, many players complemented the work Maggie did for this year's team."
Crowley played in 33 games and had 69 kills with 86 digs. "Beth struggled early in the season but stayed with it and made tremendous strides," Nelson-Brown said. "She made a big contribution on the varsity this year and is capable of great things for us in the future."
Hamblin and junior Elizabeth Niemann (Paxton, Paxton-Buckley-Loda HS) were selected to serve as co-captains for the 2001 Titans.
Sophomore outside hitter Kara Swigart (Minier, Stanford Olympia HS) led the Titans with 319 kills and had 275 defensive digs.
In addition to Erlenbaugh, senior outside hitter Dana Stinson (New Lenox, Lincoln-Way HS) capped her career high among all-time IWU players. A first team all-CCIW selection, Stinson ended her career fourth with 1,142 digs, eighth with 151 service aces, ninth with 962 kills, and 15th with 126 blocks.
Head coach Kim Nelson-Brown awarded letters to 14 players, 10 of whom will return for next season. They are, with hometowns and high schools:
SENIORS - Maggie Erlenbaugh (Chicago, Regina Dominican HS), Amy Gregory (Pekin HS), Lena Meiss (Eureka HS), Dana Stinson (New Lenox, Lincoln-Way HS).
JUNIORS - Jennifer Matczak (Naperville, Central HS), Elizabeth Niemann (Paxton, Paxton-Buckley-Loda HS), Carolyn Nugent (Buffalo Grove, Stevenson HS).
SOPHOMORES - Taryn Borendame (Wheaton, North HS), Molly Jo Ehlert (Winchester HS), Tiffany Hamblin (Bloomington HS), Julia Socke (Chicago, Resurrection HS), Kara Swigart (Minier, Stanford Olympia HS).
FRESHMEN - Brette Bower (Palatine HS), Beth Crowley (Bloomington, Normal West HS).