Jan. 20, 2007

HUNTINGTON - The Marshall Thundering Herd volleyball team's postseason banquet concluded Saturday night at St. John's Episcopal Church in Huntington.

The banquet featured an awards presentation to members of the team. Awards were presented for Highest GPA, Academic Achievement, Spirit, Workhorse, Most Improved and Overall Achievement.

Taking the "Highest GPA" award was the Herd's lone senior, Christin Bimberg. Bimberg also garnered the ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA District 2 Academic All-District and first team Conference USA All-Academic team. She also took home the "Most Improved" award by leading the team in assists with 1,323. Bimberg also finished the season with the second-highest total of service aces on the team with 38.

The "Academic Achievement" award went to junior Stephanie Cahill. Cahill, who is a double threat on the court with her team-best 13 double-doubles, proved she is a double threat on the court and in the classroom.

Jalicia Ross took home the "Spirit Award" for her support of her teammates. The 6-foot-3-inch outside hitter from Bank Village, Trinidad, competed in 20 matches and provided 40 kills.

Freshman Emily Sullivan won the Amber Sims "Workhorse" award for her blue collar work ethic. Sullivan's 57 kills and 16 blocks were second highest of the freshman class. The award is named in honor of former Marshall volleyball great Amber Sims for her contributions to Marshall volleyball during the course of her career.

"This is a great honor," Sims said. "I would not trade my last four years here at Marshall for anything in the world."

The "Overall Achievement" award went to Kelly-Anne Billingy. The junior outside hitter led the NCAA in kills per game with 6.61 and her 668 kills were the second-highest total for any Marshall player in a single season. On top of those accomplishments, Billingy went on to set the single match kill mark with 44 and became Marshall's all-time kill leader with 1,914 career kills. Billingy garnered All-American status for a third consecutive time as well as first team All-Midwest Region, C-USA Player of the Year and was selected as a member of the C-USA All-Tournament team.

Highest GPA - Christin Bimberg

Academic Achievement - Stephanie Cahill

Spirit Award - Jalicia Ross

Workhorse Award - Emily Sullivan

Most Improved - Christin Bimberg

Overall Achievement - Kelly-Anne Billingy