Paola Ampudia is Big 12's Newcomer of the Year
8/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 13, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Big 12 Conference has recognized Tiger volleyball junior Paola Ampudia (Cali, Colombia) as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, as announced by the league office on Thursday (Aug. 13). Ampudia was one of three student-athletes to earn one of the league's top three preseason awards - Destinee Hooker and Bailey Webster, both of Texas, took home Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Freshman of the Year, respectively. The Tigers, according to the league's coaches, were picked to finish eight in the Big 12 in the preseason poll.
"Obviously, I am very happy for Paola. She has worked very hard to get here and we are very happy to have her on the team this season," volleyball head coach Wayne Kreklow said. "It is still the preseason, so there are a lot of what-ifs, but she has done really well so far. She is a great all-around player that fits in with our team really well. She is a savvy player and brings a great personality to our roster."
Ampudia joins MU from Miami Dade College where she was named the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) National Player of the Year in 2007. She ranked in the top-10 nationally in hitting efficiency (.571) and ninth in kills per set (3.85) in the state of Florida. Ampudia was the Southern Conference Player of the Year for the second time in 2007 and led the Sharks to a 30-0 league record and the Florida Community College Activities Association title. The Cali, Colombia native then helped guide Miami Dade to a NJCAA national runner-up finish in the postseason. Ampudia also garnered NJCAA and Southern Conference first team accolades for her efforts in `07.
Texas, the league's champion in 2008, was picked to win the Big 12 in 2009 after totaling 98 points in the preseason poll. Nebraska came in just behind Texas with 93 points while Iowa State (81), Texas A&M (68) and Baylor (63) rounded out the top five. The Tigers finished the preseason balloting with 38 points, ranking them eighth.
The Tigers will open the season with the annual Black & Gold scrimmage at the Hearnes Center on Aug. 21. The next Friday, Mizzou will open the regular season by playing host to Texas State, Ole Miss and BYU as part of the Tiger Invitational from Aug. 28-29. For all the latest on Mizzou volleyball, stay tuned to www.MUTigers.com.
