SIOUX FALLS – After wrapping up their spring season, University of Sioux Falls Volleyball held their end of season banquet, celebrating the careers of three seniors, the individual academic and athletic achievements of the team and handing out the team awards.
 
Head coach Joel McCartney and associate head coach Andrea McCartney shared their remarks about the competitive strides the program made during their time as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, culminating in a program-best finish in the RPI rankings, checking in at 29th after the 2016 season.
 
In addition to the strides made on the court, McCartney recognized his team for earning the AVCA Academic Team Award honor for the sixth consecutive season as well as honoring seniors Jordan Calef and Abby Folk, who earned the conferences highest academic honor, the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award.
 
The 2016 season also marked the second time USF has had two student-athletes earn all-conference honors during the same competition year. Sophomores Makenna Rockeman and Lexi Scott were recognized for their efforts that garnered All-NSIC second team honors from the league's coaches.
 
After listing the numerous season and career records the team had broken, the coaching staff began handing out the team awards. Breaking several individual season records, Rockeman took home the MVP and Best Server honors, leading the team in kills, attempts, and service aces. Scott collected Most Improved and Best Attacker after shattering the season attack percentage mark and raising her attack percentage by almost 200 points.
 
 
Career digs leader Abby Folk collected two awards, earning top Passer and Digger honors, breaking the career record this year and leading the team in digs for the third straight season. Fellow senior Jordan Calef was named the Best Blocker after setting numerous career and season block records for USF.
 
Sydney Schaap was named the Best Setter after posting a USF record in assists per set while raising the team attack percentage nearly 40 points from the 2015 season to their .243 mark this past fall. Presented by USF Strength & Conditioning Head Coach and Head Athletic Trainer, Zach Mathers, Janelle Lam was awarded the Strength and Fitness Award, citing her consistent effort and encouragement serving as motivation to her teammates.
 
Capping off the night, McCartney recognized Abby Feyereisen with what he qualifies as the most important of all the awards, the Cougar Award. McCartney cited the adversity Feyereisen overcame in her career while being a hard-working, coachable, positive, caring teammate.