Sweeney, Postma, Pitman Earn National Honors
Last week at the NCCAA DII National Awards Banquet, three Emmaus team members were given awards for the 2018 season. Coach Pitman took some time to share his thoughts on these honors.
Last week at the NCCAA DII National Awards Banquet, three Emmaus team members were given awards for the 2018 season. Coach Pitman took some time to share his thoughts on these honors.
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Volleyball may be the ultimate team sport; there are so many components that need to be in place for success, both on and off the court. While we are always focused on team play, we also want to recognize some major accomplishments that were awarded to us this season.
Paige Sweeney: First Team All-American
When I first talked to Paige on the phone before she came to Emmaus, she asked me if she would need to try out for the team when she arrived on campus. When the 5'11 middle hitter you have been praying for asks you this question, your only reaction is laughter. Paige had a great season her freshman year, but surpassed it in all areas this season. While she worked hard on her numbers and improving components of her game, Paige also stepped up in her leadership role on the team. While she didn't serve in an official captain capacity, Paige's teammates looked to her for emotional and spiritual guidance at times throughout the season. Paige was very transparent with her struggles – she always wanted to perform well, and sometimes had a hard time personally when she didn't. Sharing these things with our team not only allowed them to support her, but also gave her credibility as an example of how to work hard and trust the Lord when things are difficult. If you have seen Paige play, you know she can pound the ball, but I really appreciated how hard she worked to better her game this fall in all other areas. I challenged Paige this past spring to work on serving, something she had not done her freshman season. Paige worked on serving all year, but did not have many opportunities to do so in matches as she had challenges with her consistency. When an injury forced us to change our lineup at Nationals, Paige stepped in, served (and played defense), and did an amazing job. This is what All-Americans do. Though Paige may have doubted herself at times this season, there is absolutely no doubt that she deserved to be First Team All-American – one of the top seven players in the country. Well done Paige, we are so proud of you!
Paige Sweeney: By the Numbers
1st Team All-American – NCCAA DII
1st Team All-American – AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association – awarded to players selected from all collegiate divisions)
1st Team All-Region – NCCAA DII (North Region)
1st Team All-Conference – MCCC (Midwest Christian College Conference)
307 kills, 2.92 kills/set, .311 hitting percentage, 95 blocks, 3.7 points/set
Hannah Postma: NCCAA DII National Player of the Year, First Team All-American
Hannah has been an instrumental part of our team for the past four years, and has helped us succeed by being in the setting role. Hannah worked hard this season to help each player on the team improve, which made us stronger. She has a very high standard for her own play, which has been contagious to her teammates. The team looked to her for leadership, and although that was not always an easy role to be in, Hannah did a great job of leading the team this year. Hannah has such a complete game, not only does she run the offense, but she attacks well, plays great defense, and is a deadly accurate server. Our team has been in many situations in the past four years that were difficult, and many times Hannah was the one to pull us out of it, either by an amazing play or by keeping us motivated and focused. She is a student of the game with a strong volleyball IQ, and always worked hard every off-season to improve her play. Hannah has experienced much growth throughout her career, and has been a great example of a player who is motivated to play for the Lord and honor Him on the court. She gave a lot of herself for the good of the team these past four years. Hannah surpassed the 3000 career assist mark at Nationals, which is an incredible career accomplishment. Hannah was very deserving of being named NCCAA First Team All-American, as she has in every division every year of her career. To earn recognition as National Player of the Year is a huge honor, one that is entirely deserved as well. Throughout the years many coaches have commented to me on what a difference maker Hannah is on the court, and it is fitting that coaches and other volleyball leaders at the national level saw the same things in her that we all have. Congratulations Hannah on a job very well done!
Hannah Postma: By the Numbers
NCCAA DII National Player of the Year
1st Team All-American – NCCAA DII
1st Team All-American – AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association – awarded to players selected from all collegiate divisions)
NCCAA DII Regional Player of the Year (North Region)
1st Team All-Region – NCCAA DII (North Region)
MCCC Most Valuable Player
1st Team All-Conference – MCCC (Midwest Christian College Conference)
875 assists, 135 kills, .266 hitting percentage, 50 aces, 300 digs, 68 blocks
3,044 career assists
Coach Pitman: NCCAA DII National Coach of the Year
Winning an individual award as a coach is not something I ever aspired to do or thought about – and I am fairly confident that most other coaches would say the same thing. We are so focused on our teams and all the elements that go into making our players successful as individuals and as unit – this is the essence of a coach's job. So when I received the Regional Coach of the Year Award, I was surprised. Our team was excited, but I had to take a moment to think about what the award meant. I had just spoken to the team the week before about embracing their accomplishments while not being prideful and giving the glory to God – and we talked about how to do that as Christians. The National Coach of the Year Award was even more of a surprise, and I am humbled and honored that my AD, my players, and other coaches would give me their support for it. I am proud of the award because of what it represents: Our team. For I serve as the representative of the team, the "face" of it if you will. But this is truly a team award because no amount of recognition or success comes my way without an incredible amount of prayer, dedication, strength, and sacrifice behind the scenes. For the success of Emmaus volleyball is this. It is Caleb and others who swept the floor and did setup, it is everyone who helped behind the scenes. It is a great staff and stats crew, one who will even travel to Ankeny to put on a match. It is Nathan and Sharon keeping things to date. It is Mrs. Iverson's endless hours working on aches and pains. It is President Boom, Dean Chavez, Coach Edmondson, and all the faculty and staff's encouragement and support. It is Coach Brown praying with me before the sun rises, and for us throughout the fall. It is every parent's prayers, love, and cheers, whether they could physically be with us or not. It is Megan doing our laundry on the road at 1:30 in the morning. It is all the support from all the fans. It is the players' bruises, their tears, their laughter, their fighting spirit, and their joy. It is Coach Reggie volunteering to keep us strong and healthy. It is Coach Hannah's dedication and investment, and Nora's flexibility. It is Iain and Liam traveling and watching when they can't be there, and always being my biggest fans. It is Beth's prayers, her strong support, and her unconditional love for me. It is Emmaus giving us the means to have a team, and it is God who ultimately gets the glory.
Coach Pitman: By the Numbers
NCCAA DII National Coach of the Year
NCCAA DII Regional Coach of the Year (North Region)
2018 record: 25-6 (.806)
4 year record since return to Emmaus (2015): 77-30 (.720)
Overall collegiate record: 121-71 (.630)