THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512100210
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEVIN DOEPP, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Hilary Martin thought that a fitting end to her career at Washington & Lee would be winning the ODAC Player of the Year award in volleyball - as a senior.
Turns out, Martin, a 5-foot-9 sophomore, got an early Christmas present.
About two years early.
Martin, who holds six school records, was named the ODAC's top player while helping the Generals win their first league title.
``Coming into the season I was just hoping to repeat as first-team All-ODAC,'' said Martin, a Norfolk Academy graduate.
``It (the award) was pretty unexpected. The award usually goes to the best player on the best team in the conference and early on I wasn't sure if we were the best. But, we won the ODAC championship and that enabled me to win.''
This season was a bit more than just winning an ODAC championship for Martin. Her resume of awards and accomplishments speaks for itself.
She was named the MVP at the Goucher Invitational in October. Along with being the ODAC Player of the Year, she was named first-team All-ODAC. She also was named to the all-tournament team at the ODAC championships in 1994 and 1995.
School records she holds:
Kills, match (24 vs Guilford)
Kills, season (356, 1995)
Hitting percentage, match (86.7 vs. CNU, 1995)
Hitting percentage, season (34.5, 1995)
Hitting percentage, career (33.0 1994-95)
Attack attempts, season (820, 1995)
Martin has helped resurrect a team that could only go up. The team struggled for many years until Martin arrived last season and helped the Generals to a second-place finish.
A savior she may be, and Martin isn't afraid to tell you so.
``I feel that I am a presence on the court,'' Martin said. When asked if she thought she was the best player on the team, Martin replied, ``Yes.'' But then added, ``I may not be the most perfect player all of the time. I just try and keep the team together.''
When it came time to choosing where she would attend school Washington & Lee was the front-runner. And the fact that her brother and father attended the school helped make the decision easier.
``My brother has helped me a long time, he is sort of like my mentor or coach,'' Martin said. ``I trusted his judgment.''
MONARCHS REPORT: Freshman swimmer Mary Kay Bolduc broke a school record in the 500 freestyle at the Potomac Invitational at Georgetown with a time of 4:59.48. The old record was set by Laura Cox in 1981 with a time of 5:02.05. . record in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:09.70 at the Georgetown meet.
SPARTANS REPORT: Wrestler Corey Williams (Princess Anne) is 3-0 this season. Deep Creek graduate Felton Woodson is 2-0. The Norfolk State roster features nine wrestlers from Virginia. After this past weekend at the George Mason Quads, the Spartans don't return back to the mat until Jan. 6 at the ODU Quads. Along with ODU and Norfolk State, Drexel and The Citadel will participate.
MARLINS REPORT: Virginia Wesleyan men's soccer standout Evan Whitson has been selected to play in the Umbro Select All-Star Classic March 1-2 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The game features the top seniors from Division I, II, III and NAIA schools. The four-game series will be played at Lockhart Stadium. This series marks the first senior college all-star game involving all levels of college competition.
ALUMNI REPORT: Sophomore Ashley Seekford (Churchland) helped lead the Lady Eagles of Mary Washington to a 69-67 win over Christopher Newport by scoring 14 points and grabbing 12 rebounds last week. . . . Christy Saunders (Nansemond River), a freshman for the James Madison track and field team, helped the Dukes' 4x800 relay team finish second at the Navy Lid Lifter with a time of 9:33.52. . . . Joe Pientka (Great Bridge) was named the Most Improved Player for the men's soccer team at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. He helped lead the team to a 10-6-1 record by allowing just one goal in the 135 minutes he played. Pientka, a sophomore, recorded a shutout half in the Mariners' 4-0 win over Manhattanville College and got his first victory in a 2-1 win over Vassar College. . . . Freshman Eddie MacDonald (Salem), a midfielder for the Louisburg College men's soccer team, was named to the NJCAA Region 10 first team. MacDonald led the team in scoring with six goals and one assist. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Hilary Martin, a Norfolk Academy grad, led Washington & Lee to
league volleyball crown.
by CNB