University of Albany Volleyball Announces 2009 Team Awards; Brooke Stanley Receives MVP Award - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Junior setter Brooke Stanley was named the Most Valuable Player on the 2009 UAlbany volleyball team, as announced by the team at their year-end banquet. Junior outside hitter Teresa Coppiellie earned the most improved player award, while junior libero Laurie Gonzalez took home the team's "Bring It" honor.

Stanley was voted by the team as the most valuable player after being named the America East Conference Player and Setter of the Year in 2009. Stanley became just the second player in league history to earn both awards, following fellow Great Dane Blair Buchanan, who was named the America East's top player and setter for three consecutive seasons, from 2004-06. A unanimous selection for setter of the year, Stanley led the conference, averaging 10.70 assists per game, helping the Great Danes post a league-leading .250 team hitting percentage. Stanley recorded over 1,000 assists for the third straight season, and is second on UAlbany's career assists chart behind only Buchanan. She was named the conference's player of the week seven times, including six in a row.

Coppielle significantly improved her numbers as a junior, finishing second on the team, averaging 2.83 kills per set. An all-conference first team member, she also averaged 2.30 digs per set and was second on the team with 32 service aces. She started all 31 matches in 2009 after playing in just 17 matches as a sophomore, averaging 1.00 kills and 2.12 digs. She was named the league's player of the week twice and also earned a spot on the all-championship team after serving four straight aces in the championship match against Binghamton.

Gonzalez earned the team's "Bring It" award, given to the player who best embodies a team-first attitude. The "Bring It" award winner is an athlete that is consistently practicing on her competitive edge and shows tremendous leadership in times of success and adversity. Gonzalez was named the America East Conference Defensive Specialist of the Year for the second consecutive season. An all-conference second team selection, Gonzalez led the league and was 35th nationally in digs, averaging 4.95 per set, and was also among the league leaders in service aces. She recorded double-digit digs in 22 of 24 matches played, including a career-high 31 against Colgate.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information