Army West Point Athletics
Bockrath Headlines Army’s Patriot League Honors
November 15, 2016 | Volleyball
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Following a 20-10 season and clinching the third seed in the league tournament, four members of the Army West Point volleyball team have garnered All-Patriot League accolades. Junior Carolyn Bockrath was voted onto the first team, while senior Olivia Fairfield, junior Vanessa Wesley and freshman Allie Strong earned second team recognition.
"We are so proud of our team's work ethic and focus this season," said head coach Alma Kovaci Lee. "This year, our starting line-up consist of four freshmen that play a major role in our team's success. To have a 20 win season (with a tough pre-season schedule) with as many freshmen on the line-up as we've had this season shows how great the culture is on this team. Olivia Fairfield, our only senior, has lead and continued to lead our team selflessly. The junior class has also stepped up and it is so great to see."
For the third straight season, Bockrath has garnered All-League awards from the Patriot League. The middle blocker earned the first team honors for the 2016 season after being given second team honors in 2014 and 2015, and being named the Rookie of the Year in 2014.
"Carol is incredibly passionate about the game," said Kovaci Lee. "She is extremely competitive and more than anything, she hates to lose. Her mental toughness and competitive spirit is easily seen not only in matches, but also in any small warm-up games we play in practice."
The Newport Beach, Calif., native led the team and conference in hitting percentage for the second straight year with a .378 average. Bockrath boasts a 3.03 points per set average off of 150 kills and adds 0.38 blocks per set. She totaled eight double-digit kill matches, two of which she hit over .600.
"It is so great to see Olivia recognized by the Patriot League," Kovaci Lee commented. "She is one of the most selfless players I have ever coached. Just this season, I've asked her to play all three hitter positions and she has done it without any hesitation. She is also a student of the game that always wants to learn and improve. I've relied on Olivia so much this season not only on the court, but off the court as well. She is the only senior we have and she has done a tremendous job leading our team to success."
Fairfield has been named to the second team for the first time in her career, but was given the Rookie of the Year nod in 2013. The two-year team captain was Army's most versatile player this season and stepped into multiple positions when her teammates were injured.
The Iowa City, Iowa, native posts 2.50 points per game for the Black Knights and has amassed 199 kills over 104 sets this season. Fairfield ranks 10th in the league with a blocks per set average of 0.78. She tallied six double-digit kill matches and one double-double this season.
"Vanessa is a student of the game," said Kovaci Lee. "She loves to learn about her position and opponents. Vanessa is well respected and would do anything to help others succeed on and off the volleyball court."
Wesley, who hails from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., earns All-Patriot League Second Team honors for the second time in her career. She was fourth in the conference with a .323 hitting percentage and tallied 254 kills over 97 sets played. Wesley boasts a team-leading 14 double-digit kill matches this season and six games where the hit over .400.
"Allie filled a major role in our line up this season," noted Kovaci Lee. "As a freshman, she has done more than what is expected of her, she leads our team in kills per game and our team relies on her. Allie is probably one of the hardest workers on our team. She always comes in early or stays late for a few extra reps. If something didn't go her way in practice, Allie will ask for a bucket of balls to get in the reps she needs. She is truly a joy to coach."
Strong was also chosen on the second team this season after leading the Black Knights' offense with 3.38 points per set and 2.80 kills per set. The Overland Park, Kan., native topped the Patriot League rankings for service aces per set and boasts a 0.54 average in conference-only statistics. Strong recorded 16 double-digit kill matches and posted nine double-doubles during her freshman campaign.
2016 Patriot League Major Awards
Player of the Year: Aleksandra Kazala, American
Setter of the Year: Patricia Mattingly, Navy
Libero of the Year: Sydney Shearn, Navy
Rookie of the Year: Vela McBride, American
Coach of the Year: Barry Goldberg, American
First Team All-League
Kennedy Etheridge, American, So., S
Aleksandra Kazala, American, So., OH
Loren McKenzie, American, So., MB
Carolyn Bockrath, Army West Point, Jr., MB
Kathleen Harris, Colgate, Sr., OH
Mandy Sifferlen, Holy Cross, Sr., OH
Patricia Mattingly, Navy, So., S
Second Team All-League
Vela McBride, American, Fr., MB
Olivia Fairfield, Army West Point, Sr., RS
Allie Strong, Army West Point, Fr., OH
Vanessa Wesley, Army West Point, Jr., MB
Jaelah Hutchison, Colgate, So., MB
Katie Stebbins, Colgate, Sr., RS
Sydney Shearn, Navy, So., L
The Black Knights solidified their No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament with Friday night's 3-1 win over Lehigh. Army will face No. 2 Colgate at host No. 1 American on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 4:05 p.m.
For up-to-date information about Army volleyball, please follow @ArmyWP_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
"We are so proud of our team's work ethic and focus this season," said head coach Alma Kovaci Lee. "This year, our starting line-up consist of four freshmen that play a major role in our team's success. To have a 20 win season (with a tough pre-season schedule) with as many freshmen on the line-up as we've had this season shows how great the culture is on this team. Olivia Fairfield, our only senior, has lead and continued to lead our team selflessly. The junior class has also stepped up and it is so great to see."
For the third straight season, Bockrath has garnered All-League awards from the Patriot League. The middle blocker earned the first team honors for the 2016 season after being given second team honors in 2014 and 2015, and being named the Rookie of the Year in 2014.
"Carol is incredibly passionate about the game," said Kovaci Lee. "She is extremely competitive and more than anything, she hates to lose. Her mental toughness and competitive spirit is easily seen not only in matches, but also in any small warm-up games we play in practice."
The Newport Beach, Calif., native led the team and conference in hitting percentage for the second straight year with a .378 average. Bockrath boasts a 3.03 points per set average off of 150 kills and adds 0.38 blocks per set. She totaled eight double-digit kill matches, two of which she hit over .600.
"It is so great to see Olivia recognized by the Patriot League," Kovaci Lee commented. "She is one of the most selfless players I have ever coached. Just this season, I've asked her to play all three hitter positions and she has done it without any hesitation. She is also a student of the game that always wants to learn and improve. I've relied on Olivia so much this season not only on the court, but off the court as well. She is the only senior we have and she has done a tremendous job leading our team to success."
Fairfield has been named to the second team for the first time in her career, but was given the Rookie of the Year nod in 2013. The two-year team captain was Army's most versatile player this season and stepped into multiple positions when her teammates were injured.
The Iowa City, Iowa, native posts 2.50 points per game for the Black Knights and has amassed 199 kills over 104 sets this season. Fairfield ranks 10th in the league with a blocks per set average of 0.78. She tallied six double-digit kill matches and one double-double this season.
"Vanessa is a student of the game," said Kovaci Lee. "She loves to learn about her position and opponents. Vanessa is well respected and would do anything to help others succeed on and off the volleyball court."
Wesley, who hails from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., earns All-Patriot League Second Team honors for the second time in her career. She was fourth in the conference with a .323 hitting percentage and tallied 254 kills over 97 sets played. Wesley boasts a team-leading 14 double-digit kill matches this season and six games where the hit over .400.
"Allie filled a major role in our line up this season," noted Kovaci Lee. "As a freshman, she has done more than what is expected of her, she leads our team in kills per game and our team relies on her. Allie is probably one of the hardest workers on our team. She always comes in early or stays late for a few extra reps. If something didn't go her way in practice, Allie will ask for a bucket of balls to get in the reps she needs. She is truly a joy to coach."
Strong was also chosen on the second team this season after leading the Black Knights' offense with 3.38 points per set and 2.80 kills per set. The Overland Park, Kan., native topped the Patriot League rankings for service aces per set and boasts a 0.54 average in conference-only statistics. Strong recorded 16 double-digit kill matches and posted nine double-doubles during her freshman campaign.
2016 Patriot League Major Awards
Player of the Year: Aleksandra Kazala, American
Setter of the Year: Patricia Mattingly, Navy
Libero of the Year: Sydney Shearn, Navy
Rookie of the Year: Vela McBride, American
Coach of the Year: Barry Goldberg, American
First Team All-League
Kennedy Etheridge, American, So., S
Aleksandra Kazala, American, So., OH
Loren McKenzie, American, So., MB
Carolyn Bockrath, Army West Point, Jr., MB
Kathleen Harris, Colgate, Sr., OH
Mandy Sifferlen, Holy Cross, Sr., OH
Patricia Mattingly, Navy, So., S
Second Team All-League
Vela McBride, American, Fr., MB
Olivia Fairfield, Army West Point, Sr., RS
Allie Strong, Army West Point, Fr., OH
Vanessa Wesley, Army West Point, Jr., MB
Jaelah Hutchison, Colgate, So., MB
Katie Stebbins, Colgate, Sr., RS
Sydney Shearn, Navy, So., L
The Black Knights solidified their No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament with Friday night's 3-1 win over Lehigh. Army will face No. 2 Colgate at host No. 1 American on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 4:05 p.m.
For up-to-date information about Army volleyball, please follow @ArmyWP_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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