Awards Handed Out At Volleyball Banquet; Heise Named MVP

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Heise Named MVP At Team Awards Banquet
Acker, Young and Heise take home team awards

Jan. 22, 2015

DALLAS (SMU) - Morgan Heise was named Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year by the SMU volleyball coaching staff at the team's annual awards banquet Thursday night. The sophomore was selected as the American Athletic Conference Libero of the Year and tabbed to the All-American Athletic Conference First Team after recording a program-record 626 digs this season.

Avery Acker was selected by her teammates as the recipient of the Mustang Award, which has been voted on by the team every season since the program's inception in 1996 and goes to the player who best demonstrates dedication, determination and desire on and off the court. The junior finished the season with 1,413 assists, averaging a conference-best 11.68 assists per set, and was named first team All-Region and All-Conference, as well as All-America Honorable Mention for the second straight season.

Acker also earned the Academic Award for posting the highest GPA in the fall, finishing with a 3.94 GPA in business, earning Academic All-America honors. She was also honored with the Heavy Metal Award for her effort in the weight room. Senior Caroline Young was named Offensive Player of the Year after leading the team in kills for the third straight season, scoring 376. She was named All-America Honorable Mention for the second time in her career, as well as All-Region and All-Conference First Team selections.

The Mustangs won a school-record 26 matches, including a program-best 11 straight, finishing with a 26-6 record overall. SMU finished second in the American Athletic Conference with a 15-5 mark. The season also included a win over then-No. 24 Oklahoma for the first victory against a ranked opponent, and also saw SMU receive votes in the AVCA Top 25 poll for three weeks.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Congratulations to all of the award winners and also to the team for a great season!