Nov. 30, 2009
IRVING, Texas - Senior middle blocker Anna Breyfogle was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year on Monday by league officials. Breyfogle becomes the first to earn the award in school history, and only the second from Baylor to win an individual award in Big 12 history.
Breyfogle was also named to the All-Big 12 First Team along with fellow senior Taylor Barnes. Freshman Torri Campbell received recognition for her outstanding season, earning a spot on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team.
Breyfogle put together another spectacular season at the net, leading the Big 12 in blocking for the second year in a row. Breyfogle averages 1.39 blocks per set and has racked up 149 blocks on the season, 18 more than any other player in the Big 12. In addition, she is currently on a streak of 89 consecutive matches recording at least one block, dating back to the end of her freshman season in 2006. Over her career, Breyfogle has recorded at least one block in 114 of 116 career matches. This season, Breyfogle broke the Baylor rally-era record for career blocks and became just the second player in program history with more than 1,000 kills and 600 blocks.
Barnes, one of the most offensive-minded setters in the Big 12, earned her second all-Big 12 honor. A stat-stuffer, Barnes led the Bears and ranked sixth in the league with 10.69 assists per set, while also ranking second in the league in service aces per set with 0.39. She also led the team in hitting percentage at .331 and ranks third on the team with 2.38 digs per set. This season, Barnes broke the BU and Big 12 record for career service aces, while also breaking the Baylor record for career assists and becoming the first player in program history to top 5,000 for her career.
Campbell, a freshman who entered Baylor as one of the most highly-touted recruits in program history, helped pace Baylor's offense and defense. Campbell was fourth on the team with 225 kills and third on the team with a .259 hitting percentage. She ranks behind only Breyfogle on the Baylor squad with 0.98 blocks per set. Campbell had 10 or more kills in a match 10 times, while also recording at least one block in all 31 matches.
Texas' Destinee Hooker was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, while Iowa State's Ashley Mass earned Big 12 Libero of the Year honors. Missouri's Paola Ampudia was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, and Nebraska's Hannah Werth was selected as the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Iowa State head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year.
Baylor (22-9) is making its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2001, traveling to Los Angeles, Calif., for the first and second rounds hosted by UCLA. The Bears will play Georgia Tech in the first round at 5:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 4 at Pauley Pavilion.
