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BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo softball head coach Marie Curran has announced the following team award winners for the 2005 season: freshman Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont) was chosen as Top Newcomer, freshman Laura Kor (Beaverton, OR/Westview) was named Most Improved, senior Julie Hibner (Salem, OR/South Salem) received the Coaches' Award, and sophomore Sophie Barstad (Canby, OR/Canby) was named Most Outstanding Player.

Marcy Hansen

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student-athlete who distinguishes herself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Hansen was named to the All-Mid-American Conference Second Team as a freshman. She was an at-large selection after leading the Bulls with a .333 batting average and a .400 on base percentage in conference games. Her 12 stolen bases on the season were tied for second on the team, and she tied the single-game record with three stolen bases against St. Bonaventure on April 27. Hansen also finished the year with a .975 fielding percentage at second base.

Laura Kor

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student-athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in her performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. As a freshman, Kor started 46 games and led the team in home runs (six), RBIs (15), total bases (54) and slugging percentage (.439). She also ranked second on the team in batting average (.244), hits (30) and runs scored (19). Against Youngstown State on April 21, she tied the UB single-game record for home runs with two.

Julie Hibner

The Coaches' Award is selected by the head coach and is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. Hibner started 37 games and made just two errors in 166 chances for a .988 fielding percentage at catcher. She finished her four-year career with a .233 batting average, 32 RBIs and a .989 fielding percentage. She is currently UB's all-time career leader in fielding percentage.

Sophie Barstad

The Most Outstanding Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through her skills and leadership. Barstad had a 2.18 ERA (ninth in the MAC), three shutouts, 70 strikeouts and, for the second year in a row, reached double digits in wins with 10. She earned her first-ever MAC East Division Pitcher of Week honor on April 25 after pitching a three-hit, 2-0 shutout of league-leading Central Michigan. She came through at the plate also, as evidenced by her 2-for-4 performance with a solo home run and three RBIs, including the gamewinner, in a 5-3 win at Niagara on May 3.

The Bulls finished the 2005 season 22-28 overall and 11-8 in the Mid-American Conference, which earned them their first-ever trip to the MAC Tournament.

~ written by Jim Parker, Athletic Communications Intern