VOTE FOR KATHRYN
STANFORD, Calif. – Two-time AVCA National Player of the Year Kathryn Plummer has been selected a finalist for the 89th AAU James E. Sullivan Award, presented annually to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States.
Plummer is one of eight finalists for the prestigious honor. Joining her on the ballot are Nebraska's Mikaela Foecke (women's volleyball), UCLA's Rachel Garcia (softball), Texas's Townley Haas (men's swimming), LSU's Aleia Hobbs (women's track and field), USAG's Morgan Hurd (women's gymnastics), North Carolina's Luke Maye (men's basketball) and UCF's McKenzie Milton (football).
On top of winning a second NCAA championship in 2018, Plummer was named the AVCA Player of the Year, espnW Player of the Year, Pac-12 Player of the Year and AVCA Pacific North Region Player of the Year for the second straight season. She also took home the Honda Sport Award for Volleyball and was the VolleyballMag.com Player of the Year. The junior earned AVCA All-America first team honors for the third straight season, and garnered VolleyballMag.com All-America First Team, AVCA All-Pacific North Region First Team, All-Pac-12 Conference and NCAA All-Tournament Team, including Co-Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
"Kathryn had such an incredible year. We played as difficult a schedule as we could put together and every team's games plan was to try and stop her," said head coach Kevin Hambly. "She, of course, responded by dominating as only she can. Volleyball is only a small part of what makes Kathryn special. She is a great student, she is heavily involved in the community and campus. She is also one of the humblest and hardest working athletes I have ever been around. She represents volleyball in the most respectful, classiest way possible. It is truly my honor to coach her!"
The AAU Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930. World renowned golfer Robert "Bobby" Jones received the inaugural award in 1930 and swimmer Anne Curtis became the first female to accept the award in 1944. Wisconsin's Lauren Carlini (2016) is the only volleyball player to earn the honor.
Voting for the award is open to the public at aausullivan.org. The finalist round opened today and closes Friday, March 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The AAU James E. Sullivan Award presentation will be held at the New York Athletic Club on Tuesday, April 16.