LOS ANGELES, Dec. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --A beach prodigy who didn't focus on the indoor game until college, Alex Jupiter of the University of Southern California has been named the Honda Sports Award winner for volleyball. Her selection by the Collegiate Women Sports Award Program recognizes Jupiter as the country's top female player in her sport.
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Jupiter, an outside hitter who also excelled in defense, was named the 2011 American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Year, the first time a USC athlete has received the honor. She was the Pac-12 Conference Player of the year and is only the second female USC volleyball player to be a three-time first-team All-American. Her 50 kills, seven serving aces and 55 digs against the University of Hawaii and Pepperdine University in the regional semifinals for the 2011 NCAA championships electrified the sellout crowds. At that Honolulu tournament she had a career high 33 kills and 26 digs against Hawaii in a five-match set.
"I was fortunate to have Sally Schlobohm win the award while I was coaching at Texas in 1981 and have April Ross win it here at USC in 2003," said USC coach Mick Haley. "For Alex to win this award is special, but her growth this year has been phenomenal. She was blessed with a great group of teammates that allowed her to show her consistency on a daily basis. She was exceptional, and I think that is the main reason why she was able to win this award."
Jupiter grew up in Paris, France. At the age of 14, she moved with her mother to Hermosa Beach. She did not play for a high school team but competed for the Sunshine volleyball club indoors while focusing on beach doubles, qualifying at 16 as an amateur for the Manhattan Beach event of the Association of Volleyball Professionals.
The Honda Sports Award is presented annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports. As a Honda prize recipient, Jupiter becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious Honda Cup. Jupiter was chosen by a vote of coaches from 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Rachael Adams (University of Texas), Kanani Danielson (University of Hawaii), and Kelly Murphy (Florida State University).
University of Southern California, Sports Information Director Jason Pommier
213-740-3807, pommier@usc.edu.
CWSA Media Contact, Ann Herold
310-963-1860, ann@creativesportsstrategies.com
SOURCE Honda Sports Award
