University Park, Pa. — The three-time defending Penn State women's volleyball team has been named the Dapper Dan Sportswomen of the Year for 2009. It is the first time the honor has been given to a team rather than an individual.
The Nittany Lions, as well as Dapper Dan Sportsman of the Year Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins and lifetime achievement honoree Bruno Sammartino, will be honored on Thursday, March 25 at the 74th Dapper Dan Dinner and Sports Auction presented by BNY Mellon. Other winners will be announced for best play, best sports moment and breakthrough athlete at the Petersen Events Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus.
The women's volleyball team was one of four nominees for Sportswoman of the Year. The Dapper Dan Executive Committee chose the winner after a fan vote. Former Nittany Lion Christa Harmotto was one of three Penn State nominees last year for the award.
The Penn State women's volleyball team made NCAA history on Dec. 19, 2009 by becoming the first women's volleyball team to ever win three-straight NCAA national championships after staging a come-from-behind 3-2 victory against No. 2 Texas. The team closed out the 2009 season on a 102-match winning streak, the second-longest NCAA winning streak on record. The Lions have not seen defeat since Sept. 15, 2007. The Lions are coached by AVCA Hall of Fame head coach Russ Rose, who recorded his 1,000th career victory against Hawaii in the NCAA National Semifinals. He is one of just three women's volleyball coaches to have reached the milestone and has 1,001 heading into 2010.