Water Polo Holds Annual Team Banquet
5/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
From left: Kelly Martin, Julia Sellers, Heidi Moreland, Ali Thomason, Danielle Johnson, Julia Campbell, Kim Johnson
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The NCAA-bound University of Michigan water polo team got together for a night of celebration on Tuesday (May 3) with head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi handing out team awards at its annual banquet in the Junge Family Champions Center.
Senior Ali Thomason was named the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player, and junior Danielle Johnson was chosen as the Most Valuable Defensive Player for 2016.
Thomason, a neuroscience major who also received the Strength and Conditioning award, has broken the single-season goals record with 90 goals on the year and also leads the squad with 113 points. She scored three or more goals in a game 17 times on the year.
"Her scoring output, she almost doubled it," said Leonardi. "She has been the biggest key of why we have been so successful. We have played great defense, but her scoring around 2.5 goals a game has been the difference on offense."
Johnson is a versatile defender who is second on the team with 12 field blocks and third with 32 steals. She has only been excluded 15 times this year in 35 games.
"I gave D.J. the defensive player of the year because she is our free safety position," said Leonardi. "She is guarding everyone's best overall all-around player on the perimeter. She also plays the X-2 position on 5-on-6, which is critical. She also disrupts a lot with her length, creating tips and field blocks. She is our best all-around defensive player."
Senior Kelly Martin received the Coaches Award.
"She is an extension of me in the water," said Leonardi. "She understands everything I want the team to be doing, the intensity, the level of execution and effort. She keeps the team in line. It is really important to have someone like that in the water."
The Wolverine Award went to junior Heidi Moreland.
"When you think about a Wolverine, you think about a tremendous hunter that is ferocious and claws," said Leonardi. "If you want to go into battle with someone, she is it. She has the mental and physical toughness to play her position. She takes on everybody's best player at the center position and is an unsung hero."
Senior goalkeeper Julia Campbell earned the Maize & Blue Award.
"When I think of Maize and Blue I think of a super hero," said Leonardi. "I think of a person who shows up in the biggest moments. At the CWPA Championships she had a cape on and couldn't be scored on. She came up really big in both the Princeton and Indiana games."
The Most Improved Player is freshman Julia Sellers.
"I usually go from one year to the next, but Julia could barely get off the bench in November," said Leonardi. "Her numbers aren't flashy, but she has scored goals in critical games and is now consistently in our rotation."
Freshman Kim Johnson is the Rookie of the Year.
"This one is a no-brainer," said Leonardi. "I am going to say she is having the best year of any freshman in the history of Michigan. She does it on both sides of the pool. She is our center defender, but she is also scoring goals."
2016 Michigan Water Polo Awards
Most Valuable Offensive Player: Ali Thomason
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Danielle Johnson
Coaches Award: Kelly Martin
Wolverine Award: Heidi Moreland
Maize & Blue Award: Julia Campbell
Most Improved Player: Julia Sellers
Rookie of the Year: Kim Johnson
Strength & Conditioning Award: Ali Thomason
