Mizzou Athletics Celebrates Award Finalists at WIN Awards Luncheon
2/17/2025 5:00:00 PM | General, Softball, Gymnastics, Volleyball
Two coaches, two student-athletes in running for awards at Tuesday luncheon.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Department of Athletics has four representatives who have been named finalists for the 28th annual Women's Intersport Network (WIN) for Columbia Awards Luncheon. The event, set for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Southwell Complex on the Columbia College campus, will honor excellence in women's sports and celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
Mizzou's finalists are volleyball's Mychael Vernon and gymnastics' Jocelyn Moore for Collegiate Sportswoman of the Year; and softball's Larissa Anderson and volleyball's Dawn Sullivan for Coach of the Year
Vernon, a 2024 third-team All-American outside hitter from Ossining, New York, ranked third in the Southeastern Conference with 504 kills and 561.5 points this past season. The 2024 SEC Newcomer of the Year and the 2024 AVCA Central Region Player of the Year registered a career-best 37 kills against Arkansas (Oct. 25) to set a new Mizzou single-match record.
Moore, a two-time All-American and three-time All-SEC performer and senior from Hillsborough, New Jersey, produced the program's first perfect 10.0 on the floor routine on March 17, 2024 and the program's third 10.0 on vault the prior season. Moore was named the 2024 SEC Event Specialist of the Year and this season has recorded a 9.9 five times on the floor, including a season-best 9.95 on Friday in St. Louis.
Sullivan, named the 2023 SEC Coach of the Year in her debut season at Mizzou, has guided the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in each of her two seasons in Columbia, including a run to the Sweet 16 in this past season's tournament. Sullivan, named 2024 AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year, is 40-22 in two seasons at Mizzou and 149-60 overall as a head coach.
Anderson, in her seventh season at Mizzou, has led the Tigers to NCAA Regional play every season the NCAA Tournament has been held since she took over the program. Anderson is 223-120 at Mizzou and 353-194-1 overall as a head coach. In 2024, Anderson led the Tigers to a top-10 finish, an NCAA Super Regional appearance and the team's second SEC Tournament Championship appearance in three seasons. The Tigers totaled 48 wins, their highest total in the program's SEC era and fourth-most in program history.
Tuesday's luncheon will feature keynote speaker Amber Cox, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of the WNBA's Indiana Fever. Cox, a Missouri native and veteran sports industry executive, brings a wealth of experience from her leadership roles across professional and collegiate sports. Her insights and journey in shaping the future of women's athletics will inspire attendees, including Mizzou's student-athletes, coaches and supporters.
Each year, WIN for Columbia honors female athletes and coaches who reside in or represent a Columbia-based team. The awards recognize achievements in multiple categories, including Collegiate Sportswoman of the Year and Coach of the Year, both of which feature Mizzou finalists. Additionally, the event will present the prestigious Mrs. Ann Walton Kroenke Leadership Award, celebrating an individual's outstanding leadership in sports and positive impact on the community.
Players Mentioned
