San Marcos, Texas – The Texas State volleyball team held its annual postseason banquet on Sunday evening when head coach Karen Chisum revealed the team awards for her 2010 squad. Senior AJ Watlington earned the team's top honor, while Melinda Cave, Amari Deardorff, Rachel Doyle and Ashlee Hilbun also received team accolades.
The banquet, held in the Maroon & Gold Room of the Casey Administration Complex, featured video highlights from the 2010 season, speeches by several of the Bobcat players and coaches, and a tribute to the team's four seniors.
Watlington, one of the four seniors, was named the team MVP after her standout campaign. Cave received the team's Bobcat Fight award, while Deardorff was named the team's newcomer of the year. Doyle and Hilbun shared most improved player honors for the Bobcats.
A right side hitter from Aledo, Texas, Watlington earned First Team All-SLC honors while earning the fourth most votes in the conference. She was the team leader in kills with 272 and also posted 191 digs and 47 blocks for the Bobcats this season. During conference play, Watlington averaged 2.96 kills per set and hit .257. A versatile player, Watlington posted six double-doubles during the regular season, including a 20-kill, 16-dig performance against Texas Tech in which she set career highs in both categories. In the final match of her career, Watlington surpassed her career high for kills as she recorded 21 against Lamar.
A two-time SLC All-Tournament Team selection, including being named the MVP of the 2007 SLC Tournament, Watlington earned Preseason All-SLC Second Team honors entering this season. The senior increased her production nearly across the board during the 2010 season, setting career highs for kills, hitting percentage and digs while also serving as one of the team's primary passers in serve reception.
Cave was the recipient of the Bobcat Fight award, which is given to the Texas State player who best displays pride and passion, both for the university and for volleyball. The award also symbolizes a great teammate with a strong work ethic and constant team spirit. After having double knee surgery during the off-season, Cave returned to the court for her senior season and was a major influence both on and off the court. She finished 2010 with 130 kills, 73 digs and a career-high .326 hitting percentage while also thriving in her role as a team captain.
Deardorff earned the newcomer of the year award after also garnering First Team All-Southland Conference honors. The runner-up in the SLC Freshman of the Year voting, Deardorff ranked fourth in the conference in hitting percentage (.328) and was one of just six Southland Conference players to hit over .300 for the year during the regular season. She has posted 200 kills, the second highest mark on the team, along with 59 digs and 52 blocks this season.
Doyle and Hilbun were voted by their teammates as co-most improved players this season. Doyle, a junior libero, transferred to Texas State this season and was especially effective for the Bobcats toward the end of the season, highlighted by a four-ace performance against Southeastern Louisiana. Hilbun, a freshman middle blocker, continued to progress throughout the season, finishing 2010 with an average of 1.05 blocks per set to rank sixth in the conference in blocking.
The Bobcats finished their 2010 season with a 19-12 overall record and 12-4 record in the Southland Conference, marking the eighth consecutive season that the Bobcats have recorded at least 10 wins in conference play.