Feb. 6, 2007

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--Three-time First Team All-Ivy selection Shannon Farrell was named team MVP at the annual volleyball banquet on Saturday night. Laurel Johnson was selected as the Most Improved Player, and Allison Kaptur took home the Coaches' Award.

Farrell, who was a unanimous All-Ivy pick, is the fifth player in program history to earn first team honors three times. The senior outside hitter finished fifth in the conference with 4.03 kills per game and averaged 3.54 digs per game. She finished her career among Yale's all-time leaders in both categories. Her 1,099 kills rank sixth all-time, while her 1,003 digs put her 10th.

"Shannon has been a great leader and a great player for this program over the last four years," Head Coach Erin Appleman said.

Johnson earned Most Improved honors after averaging 1.63 kills and 1.06 blocks in 51 games. The freshman middle blocker had at least one block in 17 matches and finished third on the squad with 54 total blocks.

"Laurel showed tremendous improvement from start to finish," Appleman said. "She shows great promise and will have a great career."

Kaptur appeared in four games and recorded three kills. The sophomore middle blocker had two kills and one block assist in the win over Dartmouth on Nov. 10.

"Allison shows the determination and work ethic you want all players to have," Appleman said. "She possesses great intangibles."

The team also presented special awards to its two seniors--Farrell and Anja Perlebach--for their career achievements. Farrell became just the third player in program history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Perlebach, the 2006 team captain, finished her career as Yale's all-time leader with 1,380 digs. The Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 71-28, including a 42-16 mark against Ivy League opponents, in their four years.

Also at the banquet, defensive specialist Maribeth Martens was introduced as the 2007 team captain following a team vote. Martens appeared in 29 games in 2006 and recorded 1.43 digs per game. She also registered four service aces. Martens has 317 digs in 162 career games. She will be the third consecutive defensive specialist/libero to serve as captain, following Perlebach in 2006 and Christy Paluf in 2005.

Report filed by Joe Clifford, Yale Sports Publicity