Feb. 3, 2010

West Point, N.Y. – Freshman OH Ariana Mankus (Lisle, Ill./Benet Academy) made history during a record-setting season for the Army volleyball team during the fall, becoming the first player in Patriot League history to be named Player and Rookie of the Year in the same year. On Wednesday morning, her growing list of postseason awards got a bit longer as Mankus was named the 2009 National Freshman of the Year by College Volleyball Update.com.

Mankus headlined a group of 19 freshmen from around the country who were named Rising Stars by CVU.com. See below for a complete listing.

“This is such a tremendous honor and so well-deserved for Ariana,” said 2009 Patriot League Coach of the Year Alma Kovaci. “I knew coming into the season that we were going to count on her to be an impact player right away. I knew that she had it in her to step into that role, handle the pressure and succeed. What impressed me more though is that she excelled in that environment, which is an amazing feat for a freshman. For her to be singled-out among this group of enormous talent is fantastic. Ariana works for and deserves every award that has come her way this year.”

Making her way to West Point from Lisle, Ill., Mankus pushed the Army volleyball program to new heights despite her 5-8 frame. Army graduated four starters – all of which were all-conference players – last May, leaving a huge hole for Mankus to fill offensively. The rookie dynamo delivered in a big way, leading the Black Knights to their first Patriot League volleyball championship in 15 years and the program’s first-ever trip the NCAA Tournament. By virtue of capturing the regular-season title, Army earned the right to host the Patriot League Tournament and proceeded to bulldoze through the field, sweeping both Lehigh (3-0) and American (3-0). The championship win ended American’s eight-year run as defending champions. Mankus was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 4.8 kills per set during Army’s two victories.

The Patriot League's top hitter all season long, Mankus averaged 3.67 kills per set and garnered first team All-Patriot League accolades. She registered 12 double-doubles (kills, digs), including one in each of the Black Knights’ final four matches of the season.

A highly touted prospect entering her rookie season, Mankus lived up to her billing, delivering 23 double-digit kill matches and reaching the 20-kill plateau six times. She registered a career-high 26 kills in a 3-2 home victory over American on Oct. 16 at Gillis Field House and enjoyed a 16-kill, 12-dig effort in the Black Knights’ stunning upset of then-No. 19 Pepperdine on Sept. 12 in Malibu, Calif. The latter victory was Army’s first over a nationally ranked opponent in program history. Mankus hit for a .294 attack percentage to land fifth among the Patriot League’s top hitters. Her 426 kills on the year rank ninth in Army single-season history, while her 3.67 kills per set lands seventh.

Defensively, Mankus reached double-figures in digs 16 times and tallied a career-high 20 kills in a 3-1 win at Lehigh on Oct. 2. She averaged 2.86 digs per set while her 0.30 service aces per set were second on the team and fifth in the Patriot League.

Mankus and the Black Knights finished the season with a 26-6 record, including a 12-2 Patriot League mark. The Black Knights drew Pennsylvania in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, but were eliminated (3-1) in the opening round on Dec. 4 in a match that was played at No. 1 overall seed and eventual national champion Penn State’s Rec Hall.

Mankus is one of three all-Patriot League players returning next fall, a group that also features fellow rookie RS Francine Vasquez (second team) and junior MB Amanda Rowell (second team).

2009 CVU.com Freshman Of The Year
Ariana Mankus, Army

Rising Stars
Carolina Adams, MB, Furman
Jessica Adams, L, Tulsa
Sandra Adeleye, MH, Clemson
Lola Arslanbekova, OH, Louisville
Jovana Bjelica, OH, Florida International
Alaina Bergsma, OH, Loyola Marymount
Lauren Cook, S, UCLA
Tyler Henderson, OH, Tulsa
Brittany Hewitt, MB, Hawaii
Marissa Hughes, S, Northern Colorado
Monique Mead, RS, Georgia Tech
Kayla Neto, MB, Cal State Fullerton
Jasmine Norton, OH, Arkansas
Megan Plourde, OH, Colorado State
Jodi Purdy, OH, Wyoming
Paula Passmore, L, Chattanooga
Taylor Root, L, Valparaiso
Hannah Werth, OH, Nebraska