Jan. 26, 2009
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico seniors Jeanne Fairchild and Sarah Kwasigroch received the Cherry and Silver Award as the top Lobo volleyball players of the 2008 season at the annual Lobo Volleyball Awards Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the MCM Elegante. Head coach Jeff Nelson emceed the event.
Fairchild took a quick break from her professional career in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, to return to Albuquerque for the festivities. Fairchild also was recognized for her All-America season as a Lobo and displayed the jersey she selected that will hang in the team room at Johnson Center along side other former Lobo All-Americans.
Kwasigroch finished her four-year career with the Lobos ranked seventh on the all-time career assists list. She served as team captain during 2008, along with sophomore Jade Michaelsen. Both received the Coaches’ Award. As a captain, Kwasigroch, along with Michaelsen, presented the 2008 Captains’ Award to senior Gayle Tripp for her leadership during the season.
Tripp, who was presented with a game ball honoring her UNM all-time career record in digs, also was named Most Improved along with sophomore middle blocker Taylor Hadfield. Freshman defensive specialist Allison Buck was named Top Newcomer.
Junior Allie Suiter received the Scholar-Athlete Award for the second year in a row, for being the Lobo with the highest cumulative grade point average. Nelson also announced that 13 Lobos had earned a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, with four listing a 4.0 or higher, for the fall semester.
The team recognized three behind-the-scenes people with the annual Lobo Award – Dennis Branch (Lobo volleyball scoreboard operator), Ken Sickenger (Albuquerque Journal Lobo volleyball beat writer), and Doug Vaughan (Lobo volleyball supporter).
2008 Volleyball Awards List
Cherry and Silver Award – Jeanne Fairchild, Sarah Kwasigroch
Captains’ Award – Gayle Tripp
Coaches’ Award – Sarah Kwasigroch, Jade Michaelsen
Most Improved – Taylor Hadfield, Gayle Tripp
Top Newcomer – Allison Buck
Scholar-Athlete Award – Allie Suiter
Senior Rings – Jeanne Fairchild, Sarah Kwasigroch, Gayle Tripp
UNM Letterjackets (first-time letterwinners) – Allison Buck, Ashley Rhoades, Kelly Williamson, Amy Wong
2009 Captains – Jade Michaelsen, Rose Morris
Lobo Award – Dennis Branch (scoreboard operator), Ken Sickenger (Albuquerque Journal beat writer), Doug Vaughan (Lobo supporter)