Jan. 22, 2007

SCU Volleyball Banquet Photo Gallery

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara volleyball team celebrated the 2006 season last Saturday afternoon at Maggiano's Little Italy Restaurant at Santana Row, honoring the team's graduating seniors, team members, and supporters. Postseason awards were handed out as the team looked back on the season which saw the Broncos go 20-8 and make their ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

"Saturday's banquet was a great time to honor the girls for their accomplishments this past season, as well as a chance to say `Thank you' to our team's two seniors, Kim McGiven and Megan Pura, for their outstanding careers and contributions to Santa Clara volleyball," said head coach Jon Wallace.

While coaches, players, supporters and their families dined and socialized, they were treated to a highlight video of the 2006 season put together by assistant coaches Matt Lyles and Will Yuen.

Seniors Kim McGiven and Megan Pura were honored by the team with a speech by Wallace, and the 2007 senior class of Anna Cmaylo, Crystal Matich, and Caroline Walters presented each of the 2006 seniors with a photo album commemorating their time on the Mission Campus.

When it came time to hand out the team awards, Cmaylo, who became the program's second two-time All-American in 2006, was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player for the second time in her career. Cmaylo was also named to the All-WCC First Team, as she led the West Coast Conference with a .405 hitting percentage in 2006, and finished in the top 10 in kills (3.89 kpg - seventh) and blocks (1.12 bpg - eighth).

Walters, the team's starting libero the past three seasons, earned Defensive MVP honors for the third year in a row. Besides being one of the key leaders on the team with her hard-nosed play and swagger, Walters also ranked fourth in the WCC with 4.54 digs per game and was named All-WCC honorable mention for the third year in a row.

Nichole Clark was named the team's Most Improved Player after seeing action in 81 games in 2006, making solid contributions as a back-row player as well as a middle blocker and hitter when the situation called for it.

Michelle Luxton took home the Most Inspirational Player award for her contributions to the team both on and off the court, while freshman Lindsy Evans, who filled in admirably at setter while Matich was out with injury, earned the Bronco Award.

2006 SCU Volleyball Awards

Offensive MVP: Anna Cmaylo
Defensive MVP: Caroline Walters
Most Improved: Nichole Clark
Most Inspirational: Michelle Luxton
Bronco Award: Lindsy Evans