Colorado University Athletics
Volleyball Celebrates 2015 Season At Banquet
January 24, 2016 | Volleyball
BOULDER— With the 2015 season coming to a close in December, the University of Colorado volleyball team gathered on Sunday, January 24, to celebrate the successful campaign that included an overall record of 19-13, as well as a fifth place finish in the Pac-12 Conference (11-9).
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, who was introduced as the Buffs' fifth head coach in CU history last December, talked about the 2015 season and looked ahead to 2016, talking about the spring as well as fall season.
During the season, several Buffs earned awards on and off the court. Academic coordinator Chris Howlett handed out the Pac-12 All-Academic honors. Senior Nicole Edelman was selected to the second team, while sophomores Anna Pfefferle, Stephanie Shadley and Gabby Simpson, along with junior Cierra Simpson, all earned honorable mention status.
Newly named assistant coach Lee Maes talked about the Buffs athletic recognition, which started last spring as four were named to the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Training Team (senior Alexis Austin, Edelman, Cierra Simpson and Gabby Simpson).
Austin also racked up the individual honors during the season as she was named Preseason All-Pac-12, All-Pac-12, AVCA All-Pacific South Region and AVCA honorable mention All-America.
Edelman earned her share of awards, joining Austin on the All-Pac-12 team and was also an honorable mention selection on the AVCA All-Pacific South Region team. Gabby Simpson was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection and Naghede Abu was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention team.
During the course of the season, four Buffs were tabbed Pac-12 Player of the Week. Gabby Simpson earned the honor twice as an offensive selection, while Austin (offensive), Abu (freshman) and Cierra Simpson (defensive) were awarded the honor once.
Also handed out were team awards that were voted on by the athletes and direct support staff. The Buffs named an offensive MVP (Austin) and defensive MVP (Cierra Simpson). The Most Improved Player recognition was awarded to Gabby Simpson, while Edelman 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.
