#TBT: Top Performances From The 2016 Season

Julia Young was the recipient of the team awards for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and outstanding leadership.

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

August 17, 2017 | Field Hockey

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – As the UNC field hockey team looks forward to the start of the 2017 season, here's a quick look back to some of the outstanding performances in the 2016 season.

The annual team awards honor Tar Heels who have excelled in games and also in practice. Senior Julia Young was the 2016 recipient of the Anderson Mark of Excellence Most Valuable Player Award, the Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award and the Caitlin "Poppy" Van Sickle Defensive Player of the Year Award. Senior Emma Bozek won the Laree Beans Practice Player of the Year Award and the Lingo Award as Players' Player of the Year. Senior Kristy Bernatchez won the Marjorie Moses Schwab Unsung Hero Award for the second year in a row.

Marissa Creatore, now a rising sophomore, won the Dawson Family Most Improved Player Award. Eef Andriessen, also a rising sophomore, won the Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year Award.

Rising senior Gab Major shared the Keller Award for Open-Play Assists with Bozek.

The 2016 honors were announced and presented by former winners during UNC's Alumni Weekend last spring. Read on for more about each award and a list of past winners.

CAROLINA FIELD HOCKEY TEAM AWARDS

Anderson Mark of Excellence Most Valuable Player Award
This award is named for Tar Heel supporter Gene Anderson and is presented to a player who demonstrates outstanding skill, character, competitive drive, leadership and devotion to team goals. These traits are embodied by the individual that the coaches deem most valuable to team success.
1994: Barb Hansen
1995: Kim Schroll
1996: Jana Withrow
1997: Cindy Werley
1998: Nancy Pelligreen
1999: Jana Toepel
2000: Kristen McCann
2001: Abby Martin
2002: Meredith Keller
2003: Kelsey Keeran
2004: Kelsey Keeran
2005: Rachel Dawson
2006: Jesse Gey
2007: Rachel Dawson
2008: Britt van Beek
2009: Katelyn Falgowski
2010: Caitlin Van Sickle
2011: Kelsey Kolojejchick, Caitlin Van Sickle
2012: Caitlin Van Sickle
2013: Emily Wold
2014: Samantha Travers
2015: Nina Notman, Emily Wold
2016: Julia Young

Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year
This award, named for Tar Heel supporters Ken and Cheryl Williams, recognizes the individual's ability to play an early role and her potential to impact the future of the program.
1994: Kate Barber
1995: Nancy Pelligreen
1996: Jana Toepel
1997: Carrie Lingo
1998: Abby Martin
1999: Meredith Keller
2000: Katy Potter
2001: Carey Fetting-Smith
2002: Naomi Weatherald
2003: Rachel Dawson
2004: Alli Tanner
2005: Britt van Beek
2006: Brianna O'Donnell
2007: Katelyn Falgowski
2008: Caitlin Van Sickle
2009: Kelsey Kolojejchick
2010: Marta Malmberg
2011: Loren Shealy
2012: Emily Wold
2013: Julia Young
2014: Gab Major
2015: Ashley Hoffman
2016: Eef Andriessen

Marjorie Moses Schwab Unsung Hero Award
Named for Marjorie Moses "Dee" Schwab, this award recognizes that individual who plays an integral part in the team's overall successes but receives little attention. This player is usually a defensive workhorse who quietly does what it takes on a consistent basis.
1994: Sharon Moore
1995: Susannah Schott
1996: Christy Utter
1997: Joy Driscoll
1998: Jana Toepel
1999: Erin Cox
2000: Susan Hayes
2001: Susan Hayes
2002: Alison Stewart
2003: Kerry Falgowski
2004: Brooke Miller
2005: Brooke Miller
2006: Riley Foster
2007: Xan Funk, Heather Kendell
2008: Danielle Forword, Kate Scholl
2009: Casey Burns, Brianna O'Donnell
2010: Meghan Dawson
2011: Teryn Brill, Meghan Dawson
2012: Abby Frey
2013: Meghan Drake
2014: Abby Frey
2015: Kristy Bernatchez
2016: Kristy Bernatchez

Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award
This award, established in honor of former chancellor Michael Hooker and his wife, Carmen, recognizes a Tar Heel who provides significant leadership throughout the season. Leadership by example is a Carolina tradition, and this individual inspires her teammates to perform at a higher level in practices and in games.
1999: Nicole Frey
2000: Jana Toepel
2001: Susan Hayes
2002: Stephanie Fuller
2003: Carey Fetting-Smith
2004: Carey Fetting Smith
2005: Katy Tran, Naomi Weatherald
2006: Laree Beans
2007: Laree Beans, Rachel Dawson
2008: Britt van Beek
2009: Illse Davids, Danielle Forword
2010: Elizabeth Drazdowski, Jackie Kintzer
2011: Katelyn Falgowski
2012: Caitlin Van Sickle
2013: Samantha Travers
2014: Samantha Travers
2015: Emily Wold
2016: Julia Young

Lingo Award as the Players' Player of the Year
For the selection of this award, named in honor of the Lingo family, the players vote for one of their peers. However, it's not simply a popularity contest. The winner is the player who represents Carolina with the most dedication, commitment and intensity, and embodies what it means to wear a Tar Heel uniform. Wold, a senior from Freehold, N.J., earned the award for the third year in a row.
2002: Meredith Keller
2003: Kerry Falgowski
2004: Kerry Falgowski
2005: Laree Beans
2006: Jesse Gey
2007: Jesse Gey
2008: Riley Foster
2009: Riley Foster
2010: Elizabeth Drazdowski
2011: Elizabeth Stephens
2012: Meghan Lyons
2013: Emily Wold
2014: Emily Wold
2015: Emily Wold
2016: Emma Bozek

Keller Award for Open-Play Assists
This award is named in honor of Richard and Gail Keller, who sent all three of their daughters to play for the Tar Heels. This honor recognizes an unselfish player who sets up open-field goals for her teammates. The recipient must demonstrate outstanding skill, vision and decision-making in the offensive circle.
2002: Meredith Keller
2003: Kelsey Keeran
2004: Laree Beans
2005: Laree Beans, Britt van Beek
2006: Jesse Gey
2007: Katelyn Falgowski, Jesse Gey
2008: Illse Davids
2009: Kelsey Kolojejchick
2010: Kelsey Kolojejchick
2011: Kelsey Kolojejchick
2012: Kelsey Kolojejchick
2013: Emily Wold
2014: Emma Bozek, Nina Notman
2015: Malin Evert
2016: Emma Bozek, Gab Major

Caitlin "Poppy" Van Sickle Defensive Player of the Year Award
The Carolina program has always taken great pride in its defensive strength and this award recognizes the player whose hard work and leadership has had the biggest impact on the Tar Heel defense. The award honors Caitlin Van Sickle, aka Poppy, a three-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
2013: Janne Grove
2014: Samantha Travers
2015: Julia Young
2016: Julia Young

Laree Beans Practice Player of the Year
This award goes to the player who maintains the highest level of intensity in practice throughout the year, helping to make her teammates better by keeping workouts as competitive as possible. Players are awarded points for winning practice competitions and/or making exceptional plays. Tabulations are kept throughout the year.
2003: Kelsey Keeran
2004: Carey Fetting-Smith
2005: Rachel Dawson
2006: Rachel Dawson
2007: Laree Beans
2008: Katelyn Falgowski
2009: Jackie Kintzer
2010: Jackie Kintzer
2011: Meghan Drake
2012: Kelsey Kolojejchick
2013: Emma Bozek
2014: Emma Bozek
2015: Casey Di Nardo
2016: Emma Bozek

Dawson Family Most Improved Player Award
Named for the Dawson family, strong supporters of the program while watching three daughters playing for the Tar Heels, this award honors a player who has shown improvement throughout her career, putting in the work necessary to meet and surpass her potential.
2009: Melanie Brill
2010: Katie Ardrey
2011: Katie Plyler
2012: Sassi Ammer
2013: Casey Di Nardo
2014: Sam Night
2015: Gab Major
2016: Marissa Creatore