Jan. 24, 2003

EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon senior Lindsay Closs (Spokane, Wash.) was named as the 2002 team MVP at the annual volleyball awards banquet. Closs, a middle blocker who transferred to Oregon from Fresno State as a junior in 2001, led the Ducks in kills per game (3.73), blocks per game (1.01), points per game (4.71) and service aces per game (0.37). Closs was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection in 2002.

Freshman Jodi Bell (S, Gresham, Ore.) was tabbed as the team's Newcomer of the Year after playing in 103 of 112 games for the Ducks this season and leading Oregon with 8.19 assists per game.

Sophomore Lauren Westendorf earned the Most Improved award. Westendorf competed in 101 games as a sophomore after playing just 56 a year ago. The Bakersfield, Calif., native was fourth on the team, averaging 1.90 kills per game in 2002 after averaging just 0.70 kills per game in 2001.