.png&type=webp)
University of New Hampshire Athletics
5/18/2021 6:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Abby Sullivan was named Offensive Player of the Year and Mia Pagliarini was named Defensive Player of the Year for the Wildcats
DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire volleyball program has announced its team awards for the 2021 spring season, which were announced by second-year head coach Christopher Feliciano on Tuesday afternoon.
2021 Spring UNH Volleyball Team Awards
| Offensive Player of the Year | Abby Sullivan |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Mia Pagliarini |
| Most Improved Player | Kelly Kaufmann |
| Jenny Weston Coaches Award | Hannah Crist |
Junior middle blocker Abby Sullivan (Methuen, Mass.) was the Wildcats' Offensive Player of the Year. She led the Wildcats roster with 73 kills, 2.52 kills per set, a .347 hitting percentage and 25 total blocks in nine matches for UNH. Sullivan ranked third among AE players in hitting percentage, while her 0.86 blocks per set was fifth best in the conference. She recorded 10 or more kills in four of the nine matches and posted five or more blocks in three contests.
"Abby's game continued to flourish this season, as she played with a ton of confidence and determination," said Feliciano. "She commanded a lot of attention from opposing teams, which in turn opened things up at the pin."
Freshman libero Mia Pagiliarini (Springboro, Ohio) was honored with UNH Defensive Player of the Year honors for her efforts in her rookie season in Durham.
Pagliarini notched a team-best 139 digs for the Wildcats, averaging 4.34 digs per set, which ranked second among America East players. She posted 16 or more digs in seven of nine matches for the 'Cats.
"As the season progressed, Mia adjusted to the speed of the collegiate game," stated Feliciano. "As her confidence grew, she played a major role in the success of the season."
Freshman middle blocker Kelly Kaufmann (Raleigh, N.C.) took home the Most Improved Player Award for the Wildcats. Kaufmann notched 39 kills in her first year with UNH, which ranked sixth on UNH's roster. She totaled only four kills in her first three matches of her career and averaged 7.0 kills per match in her last five matches for the Wildcats.
"When Kelly was recruited she immediately asked what she needed to do to improve," remarked Feliciano. "She committed herself to the process, and her work ethic followed her throughout the course of the season. We are really excited to see what she can potentially accomplish with a full 30-35 match season."
Sophomore right side hitter Hannah Crist (Cicero, Ind.) was named the winner the Jenny Weston Coaches Award. Weston, a defensive specialist, played for the Wildcats from 2016-19 and had the award named after her at the end of the last season in 2019 by head coach Christopher Feliciano. The award is given annually to the player who puts her team first and that most embodies the sprit of the Wildcat volleyball program.
"Hannah embodies everything a coaching staff could want in a student-athlete," Feliciano mentioned. "She always works hard, always gives more than is asked of her, and always puts her team first."
The Wildcats owned a 7-3 America East record this spring, which was tied for second place in the conference standings.
Players Mentioned
RS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB/RS
/ Women's VolleyballSunday, October 11
Thursday, October 01
Sunday, September 27
Sunday, August 30