University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Field Hockey Hands Out Team Awards
May 1, 2002 | Field Hockey
May 1, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--University of North Carolina field hockey coach Karen Shelton announced the team's annual awards Saturday during Alumni Weekend, recognizing players who excelled during the 2001 season.
The Anderson Mark of Excellence Most Valuable Player Award went to senior Abby Martin, while freshman Carey Fetting-Smith received the Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year Award. Senior Susan Hayes was the recipient of both the Marjorie Moses Schwab Unsung Hero Award and the Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award.
Martin, from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., is the third player since 1994 to earn both MVP and Rookie of the Year honors during her career. After being honored with the Ken and Cheryl Williams Award as a freshman in 1998, Martin went on to earn All-America honors twice. She was named to the third team as a junior and to the second team as a senior, when she led the Tar Heels in scoring with 40 points. "Abby was our most consistent performer throughout the season," Shelton said. "The fact that she's a defender yet was our corner striker enabled her to contribute offensively and defensively." Martin earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a junior and senior and was named to the All-NCAA Tournament team in her junior year, when UNC reached the NCAA Championship game.
As a true freshman in 2001, Fetting-Smith started 20 games for the Tar Heels and played in all 21. A back from Lutherville, Md., she finished the season with two goals and five assists. "Carey was a consistent starter and displayed maturity and poise," Shelton said. "She has provided leadership as well, which is rare for a freshman."
Hayes, a back from Bethesda, Md., is the first player ever to earn two of the team awards in the same season, as well as the first player to earn the same award two years in a row. ? four-year starter, she also was the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award as a junior. Hayes earned All-ACC Tournament honors twice and was named All-ACC as a senior. In her junior year, she was named to the All-NCAA Tournament team. "Because of her position, she didn't get much notoriety for her contributions on the field," Shelton said. "Susan provided tremendous leadership for us. She was enthusiastic and worked hard day in and day out. Even during rough times, she was the first to be positive and enthusiastic."
The Tar Heels finished the 2001 season with a record of 14-7 after a loss to Michigan in NCAA Tournament play. They'll open the 2002 season against the Wolverines, who went on to win the national championship. As part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Carolina will host Michigan Aug. 31 at noon at Francis E. Henry Stadium.
