The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Announces Team Awards at Annual Banquet
2/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 23, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB women's soccer team held its annual banquet last week and honored several student-athletes with individual awards. Junior defender Marie Yempuku and senior defender Danielle Blair earned the team's co-MVP honors, as voted on by their teammates and coaches.
"Without question, Marie and Danielle were two of the absolute best defenders in our conference and in the region last season," UAB head coach Paul Harbin said. "They're both the type of athletes who not only lead by example, but also find a way to inspire and bring up the level of the players around them. We're excited to have Marie for another year and will definitely miss Danielle's presence next fall."
Yempuku, who was tabbed a second-team all-conference honoree, played a big role in why the Blazers ranked among the league leaders on defense, holding the opposition to a 1.13 goals against average (GAA). The two-year team captain also netted the game-winner, the first of her career, in a 2-1 victory over Pacific on Sept. 5.
In addition to the co-MVP honor, Blair also received the Coaches Award. The honoree is selected by the coaching staff as the player who most personifies the ideals and vision of UAB women's soccer. Blair emobied the term student-athlete, earning ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America honors, the C-USA Spirit of Service Award and starting 21 matches.
"Danielle has set an amazing standard on the field, in the classroom, out in the community, and as a teammate," Harbin said. "Her accomplishments and behavior in all of those areas are beyond exemplary. It has been an honor working with her over the last four years."
The Most Improved Player Awards went to freshman defender Emily Sinovich, junior midfielder Allison Belsterling and sophomore forward Allison Young, as voted on by their teammates and coaches.
"It's been a pleasure working with Emily, Ally B. and Allison and watching them make great strides in their development as players over the last six months," Harbin said. "All three have had a strong positive impact on our program and will undoubtedly continue to be a big part of the future success of our program."
The trio combined for 54 starts on the season and helped the Blazers to an 8-0 start, the best in school history.
