Jayhawks Land Two on All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Team
Nov. 28, 2011
LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the first time since the 2003 season, the Kansas volleyball team earned two spots on the All-Big 12 Conference Team when senior Allison Mayfield and redshirt sophomore Caroline Jarmoc were named to the Honorable Mention squad, as announced by the league office Monday afternoon.
The duo had a constant presence on the floor for Kansas this season. Mayfield, an outside hitter from Overland Park, Kan., finished the regular season leading the league with 4.16 kills per set. She was one of just four players in the Big 12 to average more than four kills per set in 2011. Defensively, Jarmoc was a wall at the net, finishing the season with 1.25 blocks per set, good for second in the league.
Mayfield and Jarmoc also ranked in the league’s top three in points per set and service aces per set, respectively, making the pair household names in several categories all season long.
“This league is so deep, with so many quality teams and players that to have two of the top players in this conference is a nice honor,” head coach Ray Bechard said. “It reflects the type of season both of these young ladies had.”
Along with cementing themselves among the Big 12’s best this season, Mayfield and Jarmoc were also all over the Kansas record books in 2011.
In a fitting end to her Jayhawk career, Mayfield became the all-time single season kills leader at Kansas on the last night of the season. For the 26th time in 29 matches, Mayfield led the Jayhawks in kills, and her 17 against Baylor on Saturday night put her at 462 on the season – the most ever for a Jayhawk. Mayfield finished her career fourth all-time in career kills (1,282) and her 4.16 kps mark leaves her second all-time a single season in Kansas history. A six-rotation player throughout her four-year career, Mayfield left the floor just one time all season and posted a team-best nine double-doubles. With that dependability, she also became the Jayhawks’ all-time single-season and career attempts leader.
In just her second year on the floor, Jarmoc made a name for herself both offensively and defensively. The Calgary, Alberta, Canada native never ranked lower than fifth in blocks per set all season and finished the year second behind Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Oklahoma’s Sallie McLaurin. Not just a defensive standout, Jarmoc proved her ability as an accurate attacker. Her .311 hitting percentage this season led the Jayhawks and ranked in the conference’s top 10.
The 2003 season was the last time Kansas saw two players named to the All-Big 12 Team when Josi Lima (first team) and Ashley Michaels (honorable mention) were honored by the conference. Since then, KU has had three honorees, including Karina Garlington a year ago.
Additionally, Jarmoc earned the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Week honor twice this year while teammate Tayler Tolefree was also recognized with the award in 2011. The three weekly awards were the most for Kansas in one season in conference history.
“For Jarmoc to win the Defensive Player of the week award twice and Tolefree once shows the emphasis we put this spring on being more physical and scoring more points defensively,” Bechard said. “Seeing those two getting awarded on three different occasions is good to see. Then, we also have representation on an elite group within the conference with the All-Big 12 Team. We are proud of that.”
In total, Bechard has now coached 13 All-Big 12 honorees in his time at Kansas.
BIG 12 SPECIALTY AWARDS
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jerritt Elliott, Texas
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Bailey Webster, Texas
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sallie McLaurin, Oklahoma
LIBERO OF THE YEAR: Kristen Hahn, Iowa State
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Haley Eckerman, Texas^
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Carlee Rothelisberger, Oklahoma
ALL-BIG 12 FIRST TEAM
Briana Tolbert, Baylor
Carly Jenson, Iowa State^
Alison Landwehr, Iowa State
Jamie Straube, Iowa State
Kaitlynn Pelger, Kansas State
Lisa Henning, Missouri^
Brianne Barker, Oklahoma^
Suzy Boulavsky, Oklahoma
Rachael Adams, Texas^
Haley Eckerman, Texas^
Bailey Webster, Texas^
Kelsey Black, Texas A&M^
Alisia Kastmo, Texas A&M
Lindsey Miller, Texas A&M
Amanda Dowdy, OH, Texas Tech
HONORABLE MENTION
Caroline Jarmoc,Kansas
Allison Mayfield, Kansas
Lilla Porubek, Kansas State
Molly Kreklow, Missouri
Sallie McLaurin,Oklahoma
Hannah Allison, Texas
Khat Bell, Texas
^ Unanimous Selection
**Ties in voting created a 15-member First Team and seven Honorable Mention members
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Adrianna Nora, Baylor
Whitney Little, Missouri
Emily Wilson, Missouri
Tara Dunn, Oklahoma^
Khat Bell, Texas^
Haley Eckerman, Texas^
