Michigan Celebrates Team 21 with Awards Banquet
5/17/2021 4:53:00 PM | Water Polo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan water polo team celebrated the 2021 season and head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi handed out awards on Monday (May 17) at the Crisler Club.
Eight individual awards were given along with participation awards for each letterwinner and class. The seniors were presented rings, the juniors blankets, the sophomores watches and the freshmen letter jackets.
Senior and team captain Maddie O'Reilly was named the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Player, after leading the Wolverines with 47 goals scored on the season to go with 33 assists, 21 steals and 11 field blocks. O'Reilly was selected as the Player of the Year by the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) for the 2021 season.
The sibling duo of graduate student Heidi Ritner and senior Emily Ritner was named the team's Most Valuable Defensive Players. Heidi started 17 of 18 matches for the Wolverines as goalkeeper, going 13-4 on the campaign while making 129 saves and allowing 94 goals. The Newport Beach, Calif., native was a CWPA all-conference first-team member. Emily was a lockdown defender for U-M, finishing with 27 steals and seven field blocks to go along with 15 goals and 25 assists, while also earning a spot on the All-CWPA second team.
Senior Sofie Pontré received the Coaches Award. As an extension of the coaching staff in the water, Pontré made an impact on both offense and defense, scoring 14 goals and adding 10 assists while also contributing 21 steals and six field blocks. The Perth, Western Australia, native was also an All-CWPA first-team member.
The Wolverine Award, which goes to the student-athlete that best exemplified the hunter mentality of a Wolverine, went to junior Erin Neustrom. In her third year with the team, Neustrom was a menace to opponents with 27 goals scored and four assists while also drawing 29 exclusions. The Moraga, Calif., native was a CWPA all-conference first-team member and was named to the NCAA all-tournament team.
Senior Kathy Rogers was given the Maize & Blue Award, which goes to someone who shows up in big moments. Rogers displayed her mettle by putting up well-balanced numbers during her senior season, scoring 15 goals with seven assists while also drawing 11 exclusions and adding 21 steals and a team-best 14 field blocks.
The Most Improved Player Award went to sophomore Anne Rankin. The Newport Beach, Calif., native made a jump on the offensive end this spring, posting career highs of 24 goals and 12 assists while adding nine steals and nine drawn exclusions. She was named CWPA all-conference second team for her efforts.
Libby Alsemgeest received the team's Rookie of the Year Award. Alsemgeest served as a catalyst on offense, scoring 33 goals to go with a team-high 30 drawn exclusions while also having 20 steals. The Hamilton, New Zealand, native was named the CWPAÂ Rookie of the Tournament.Â
Michigan made the NCAA Championship for the 10th time in school history and fifth straight year, falling to No. 4 Arizona State in the quarterfinals on Friday (May 14). The Wolverines qualified for the NCAA Tournament by winning their fifth consecutive CWPA championship. U-M finished the season with a 21-5 overall record.
2021 Michigan Water Polo Awards
Most Valuable Offensive Player: Maddie O'Reilly
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Heidi Ritner and Emily Ritner
Coaches Award: Sofie Pontré
Wolverine Award: Erin Neustrom
Maize & Blue Award: Kathy Rogers
Most Improved Player: Anne Rankin
Rookie of the Year: Libby Alsemgeest
