Akers, Ross Win FIVB Beach Awards

B.J. Hoeptner Evans November 23, 2009

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Photo: FIVB

From left, Tyra Turner, Angie Akers, April Ross and Jen Kessy on the podium in Phuket, Thailand.

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 23, 2009) – U.S. beach volleyball players April Ross and Angie Akers received awards from the FIVB following the conclusion of the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Tour.

Ross (Costa Mesa, Calif.) was named Best Offensive Player and Best Hitter. Akers (Fort Wayne, Ind.) was named co-Rookie of the Year along with Australia’s Louise Bawden. U.S. athletes Lauren Fendrick (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Ashley Ivy (Arlington, Texas) both received votes for Rookie of the Year.

Ross and partner Jen Kessy (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) won the 2009 FIVB World Championship in Stavanger, Norway along with the SWATCH FIVB World Tour events in Marseille, France and Phuket, Thailand. The team had four second-place finishes and two thirds and finished the season in third place for World Tour ranking points.

Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissa Franca of Brazil finished the season as the FIVB ranking points leaders.

Akers and partner Tyra Turner (Fort Myers Beach, Fla.) took one silver medal (Phuket) and one bronze (Sanya, China) in 2009 and finished fifth in ranking points.

Juliana was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2009 season.

Shelda Bede of Brazil was named the Sportswoman of the Year. Kessy finished third in voting for the title while Ross and Turner both received votes. Kessy also finished third for Best Offensive Player.

Ross finished third among servers in 2009 with a best serve of 85.3 km/hour.

Among those U.S. players who received votes for awards: both Kessy and Ross received votes for Most Improved Player. Nicole Branagh (Orinda, Calif.) and Elaine Youngs (El Toro, Calif.) both received votes for Best Offensive Player. Turner and Youngs both received votes for Best Blocker. Youngs received votes for Best Hitter.

To view the complete list of award winners, click here.

Tags: Angie Akers, April Ross, Ashley Ivy, Beach, Beach Volleyball, Elaine Youngs, FIVB World Tour, Jennifer Kessy, Lauren Fendrick, Nicole Branagh, Tyra Turner