RUSTON, La. - The Louisiana Tech volleyball team handed out its end of the season awards at the team banquet on Friday night.

The Lady Techsters posted their first winning season since 1996 by going 19-16 on the year. Tech won 11 more matches than during the 2001 season, which tied the Lady Techsters for the fifth biggest improvement in wins in the country this season. Head Coach Heather Mazeitis just completed her second year as head coach and the future looks bright for Lady Techster volleyball.

The most valuable player award went to junior Cristine Sant?Anna who was a Second-Team All-Western Athletic Conference selection after finishing the year ninth in the league in kills. Sant?Anna was also Tech?s first-ever WAC player of the week early in the season.

The offensive player of the year went to sophomore setter Lia Mora who also was named Second Team All-WAC. Mora missed all of the 2001 with a knee injury and was a big reason for the improved play of Tech this year. Mora was named to the All-Tournament team in all four pre-conference tournaments Tech played in.

Heather Anderson received the defensive player of the year award after finishing the season as one of the league leaders in digs.

Senior Brianna Senior was recognized for her leadership as team captain throughout the season. Sibley ranked ninth in the WAC in kills. The Austin, Texas native also received her Tech letter that is given to all seniors after completing their eligibility.

Mora also received the ?Most Inspirational? Award. Mora recovered from a knee injury that forced her to miss the 2001 season and was voted to this award by her teammates.

The "Most Improved Player Award" went to sophomore Megan Rush, who led the team
in hitting percentage and averaged over three kills a game in WAC action.

There was a new award created given to a player who is a non-starter but keeps working hard despite not receiving a lot of playing time. The ?Hold the Rope? award was given to sophomore Laura Osterhaus.

Tech returns five starters next season, which has Mazeitis and the Tech volleyball program excited about the future.