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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, December 2, 2015 – Puerto Rican Daly
Santana, member of the women’s national team who study at
University of Minnesota, was named on Tuesday as Volleyball
Player of the Year of the Big Ten Conference of NCAA.
Santana, a native of Corozal, led the Gophers to a school-best
18-2 conference record and the program's first Big Ten title
since 2002.
Santana, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter senior, led the Big Ten in
kills per set (4.37) while ranking fifth in aces per set (0.35).
She recorded 17 double-doubles and had 28 matches with 10 or
more kills. Santana is the first Gophers player to be named Big
Ten player of the year since Cassie Busse in 2003.
"It goes back to this team," Santana said. "Those awards
wouldn't be possible without the help of every person on this
team. They're more individual, but they tell you a lot about
this team."
The Gophers (26-4) received a No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA
tournament and open against Jackson State next Friday at the
Sports Pavilion.
Gophers volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon, former coach of the
USA women’s national team was named Big Ten coach of the year.
"I'm very happy for our athletes to be recognized for their
achievements this year," McCutcheon said. "As far as what it
means for the program, I'm not sure. I think it's just further
validation for a great season. But most importantly just our
ability to get back to the task at hand will be the main thing
we'll focus on.
"As great as the awards are and all the rest of it, that's nice
and we appreciate it, (but) we also understand that's over and
that's done. We're very much invested in the next part of our
journey here." |
