Volleyball Celebrates 2016 Season At Banquet
January 29, 2017 | Volleyball
BOULDER — The Colorado volleyball team gathered on Sunday, January 29, to celebrate the 2016 campaign at its year-end banquet at the Touchdown Club in Dal Ward.
The annual banquet was a special morning that featured fellowship and brunch with the team, support staff, administration, parents, families and key donors as CU turned the page towards the future. Head coach Jesse Mahoney talked about the 2016 season and looked ahead to 2017, talking about the spring as well as fall season.
During the season, several Buffs earned awards on and off the court. Junior Stephanie Shadley was recognized for her Pac-12 All-Academic second team selection, while sophomore Naghede Abu, junior Anna Pfefferle, senior Cierra Simpson and junior Gabby Simpson earned honorable mention status.
After the academic awards, it was time to recognize the athletic achievements of the 2016 squad, which started last spring as four were named to the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Training Team (Taylor Joachim, Alexa Smith, Cierra Simpson and Gabby Simpson). Smith was named to the USA CNT China roster, while Gabby Simpson was selected to the USA CNT Europe roster and in addition to the USA team, was selected to the Pac-12 China Team.
Several Buffs garnered recognition during the regular season. Abu was tabbed the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 5 after helping CU upset No. 13 Penn State and No. 17 Illinois. She was also named the CU Athlete of the week twice during the year. Gabby Simpson joined Abu as a CU Athlete of the Week, earning the honor after recording CU's first 20-20 double-double in kills and assists (21 kills and 25 assists) against Arizona on Sept. 25.
Gabby Simpson also racked up individual honors during the postseason, which included AVCA All-Pacific South Region and All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors. Abu and Smith were also members of the All-Pac-12 honorable mention squad.
At the end of the banquet, awards that were voted on by the athletes and direct support staff were handed out. The Buffs named Smith their offensive MVP, while Abu was selected the defensive MVP. Cierra Simpson was named the recipient of the Golden Buffalo Award, which recognizes the athlete who exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete and role model; while junior Joslyn Hayes was named the Most Inspirational Player. Junior Frankie Shebby was tabbed the team's scout team MVP.
The annual banquet was a special morning that featured fellowship and brunch with the team, support staff, administration, parents, families and key donors as CU turned the page towards the future. Head coach Jesse Mahoney talked about the 2016 season and looked ahead to 2017, talking about the spring as well as fall season.
During the season, several Buffs earned awards on and off the court. Junior Stephanie Shadley was recognized for her Pac-12 All-Academic second team selection, while sophomore Naghede Abu, junior Anna Pfefferle, senior Cierra Simpson and junior Gabby Simpson earned honorable mention status.
After the academic awards, it was time to recognize the athletic achievements of the 2016 squad, which started last spring as four were named to the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Training Team (Taylor Joachim, Alexa Smith, Cierra Simpson and Gabby Simpson). Smith was named to the USA CNT China roster, while Gabby Simpson was selected to the USA CNT Europe roster and in addition to the USA team, was selected to the Pac-12 China Team.
Several Buffs garnered recognition during the regular season. Abu was tabbed the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 5 after helping CU upset No. 13 Penn State and No. 17 Illinois. She was also named the CU Athlete of the week twice during the year. Gabby Simpson joined Abu as a CU Athlete of the Week, earning the honor after recording CU's first 20-20 double-double in kills and assists (21 kills and 25 assists) against Arizona on Sept. 25.
Gabby Simpson also racked up individual honors during the postseason, which included AVCA All-Pacific South Region and All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors. Abu and Smith were also members of the All-Pac-12 honorable mention squad.
At the end of the banquet, awards that were voted on by the athletes and direct support staff were handed out. The Buffs named Smith their offensive MVP, while Abu was selected the defensive MVP. Cierra Simpson was named the recipient of the Golden Buffalo Award, which recognizes the athlete who exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete and role model; while junior Joslyn Hayes was named the Most Inspirational Player. Junior Frankie Shebby was tabbed the team's scout team MVP.
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