April 20, 2005

CHAPEL HILL --- The University of North Carolina volleyball team held its annual awards banquet Sunday at the Pope Box in Kenan Stadium. Senior Molly Pyles, an AVCA Honorable Mention All-America performer in 2004, was named the team's Most Valuable Player. Pyles was also honored for earning AVCA All-East Region and First Team All-ACC accolades.

Fellow senior Katie Wright was awarded the Oakes Award for Excellence and the John Lotz Memorial Award. The Oakes Award is named after Carol and J. Hawley Oakes, and is given to the player who sets the standard for the team's performance with her competitive drive. The Lotz Award is given to the team member that is most active in the community, and is named after John C. Lotz who directed the UNC community outreach programs from 1998-2000.

Juniors Camilla Ihenetu and McKenzie Byrd shared the Kindy Memorial Award, an award selected by the coaches to honor Jean E. Kindy, one of the first supporters of Carolina volleyball. Sophomore Amy Beaver was given the Mighty Ram Award for improvement during the spring season. Beaver, who earned ACC All-Tournament honors in 2004, was also named the Most Improved Player. Ashley Board, who appeared in 29 matches as a defensive specialist, was named the team's Rookie of the Year.

A pair of Tar Heels also earned academic awards from various organizations. Wright was named the team's Athletic Director's Scholar Athlete. She also earned the University's Jim Tatum Award and the ACC Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship. Senior Jayme Mitchell was awarded a Women and Ethnic Minorities Postgraduate Scholarship by the NCAA.