For Immediate Release: Monday, 19 November 2001
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240

UTPA PUTS FOUR ON ALL-INDEPENDENT TEAM, MUSZYNSKI OFFENSIVE MVP

EDINBURG-Four members of the University of Texas-Pan American volleyball team earned All-Independent honors for the 2001 season. The team was chosen by a vote of coaches at the National Independent Tournament, held recently at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

Sophomore outside hitter Jaclyn Muszynski (Walnut, CA/Walnut HS) was named as the Offensive Most Valuable Player, and joined teammate Mindy Hubik, a sophomore middle blocker, (Bedford, TX/L.D. Bell HS) on the first team All-Independent squad. Freshman outside hitter Sandy Darway (San Luis Obispo, CA/Arroyo Grande HS) and sophomore setter Shawnda McDowell (Hurst, TX/L.D. Bell HS) were named to the second team.

Muszynski led the Lady Broncs, averaging 3.45 kills per game and 3.02 digs during the recently-completed season. Hubik averaged 2.18 kills and 0.75 blocks, Darway 2.96 kills and 2.51 digs, and McDowell averaged 8.57 assists and 2.06 digs per game.

“This is a great way for us to recognize some of the athletes who have had very good years for us,” said UTPA Head Coach Dave Thorn. “It is a reflection of the team performing well. If everyone doesn’t do their job, then our team cannot stand out. As we’ve demonstrated in the past couple of years, we are one of the top independent schools in the nation.”

The Lady Broncs finished 15-17, and successfully defended their championship at the National Independent Tournament at the UTPA Fieldhouse November 9th and 10th

INDEPENDENT AWARDS, 2001

MVP-Cassiana Costa, Sr. S, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; Offensive MVP-Jaclyn Muszynski, So. OH, Texas-Pan American; Defensive MVP-Kristen Peck, So. OH, Lipscomb; Freshman of the Year-Jessica Powers, Fr. S/OH, Centenary.

First Team: Powers, Peck, Costa, Muszynski, Hubik, Sarah Hill, So. OH, TAMU-CC.

Second Team: Darway, McDowell, Catey Batte, Fr. MB, Centenary; Kim Bengston, So. MB, Lipscomb; Julie Holiday, Fr. DS, Lipscomb; Marcille Cox, Sr. MB, TAMU-CC; Lauren Smith, Fr. MB, TAMU-CC.

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