SCIAC honors La Verne's top spring performers
Campus Times
May 15, 1998
Now that the spring sports season is coming to a close, the Southern
California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) has named the All-Conference
team, from which the University of La Verne softball squad earned six positions,
including Player of the Year, while the baseball team managed one.
The six softball award winners was the icing on the Leopards cake this
season.
Those players included senior pitcher Amber Hall (Player of the Year),
junior infielder Sophia Garcia (First Team -- first base), sophomore outfielder
Jennifer Thompson (First Team -- designated player), junior outfielder Lindsey
Weber (First Team -- outfielder), sophomore catcher Kadie Tillema (Second
Team -- catcher) and freshman pitcher Robin Haaker (Second Team -- utility).
"These are well deserved awards," said head softball coach
Julie Kline. "I am proud of these young ladies as well as the team
because they are a unit."
Hall, who also earned ULV Athlete of the Year while being a scholar
student, extended La Verne's dominance over the Player of the Year award
to three years.
"It makes me realize how good of a team I have behind me, because
you can't get an award like this if you don't have a team behind you,"
Hall said.
Not only have the Leopards maintained a hold on the Player of the Year
honor, but they have also managed to be successful at placing various players
on the All-Conference team for the past six years.
"The team is successful, because we have outstanding individuals
in our program," said Kline, whose team finished 26-10.
Although they had a less than spectacular season, the ULV baseball team
did have a standout in First Team All-SCIAC second baseman junior Justin
Ott.
"He is a good example of hard work pays dividends," said baseball
head coach Owen Wright. "When it came to game time, he was a gamer."
Ott, who lead the team in triples (3), doubles (9), hits (43), runs
scored (27) and batting average (.462 -- fifth best in SCIAC), was voted
the most valuable player by his teammates.
"It's a nice honor," said Ott. "I don't play to get the
honors, I play to win."
Perhaps the most impressive statistic Ott attained this season was his
one error in 109 attempts while playing at both the second base and shortstop
positions.
Even though Ott cannot earn an award for his leadership, he still led
the team by example.
"He has earned the respect of his teammates," Wright said.
