May 3, 2002

UNC volleyball coach Joe Sagula announced the team's 2001 award winners at the team banquet held May 1. The annual awards are given to recognize accomplishments both on and off the court.

Malaika Underwood captured the team Most Valuable Player and the Carol and J. Hawley Oakes Award for Excellence. Molly Pyles won the Rookie of the Year honor, and Camilla Ihenetu took home the Most Improved Player award.

Laura Greene was a double winner, receiving the John C. Lotz Memorial Award and the Mighty Ram Award. Holly Strauss won the Jean E. Kindy Memorial Award, Melissa Higgins was honored with the Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete Award, and Heather Catlin won the Outstanding Strength & Conditioning Achievement.

Underwood, a junior from San Diego, was named ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player in leading the Tar Heels to their third straight conference title. Underwood was also fourth in the ACC in digs at 3.01 per game.

Greene, a junior from Yadkinville, N.C., was named to the AVCA All-East Region Team and the ACC first team All-Conference in 2001. She ranked second in the league in digs with 3.57 per game and was fifth in kills at 3.93 per game.

In Pyles freshman campaign, she was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team. The Hendersonville, N.C., native averaged 1.58 kills per game and 1.70 digs per game in 2001.

Strauss, a junior from Dundas, Ontario, battled injuries all season to lead the ACC in total blocks with 161 and blocks per game at 1.39. She also was 20th nationally in blocks per game.

The Tar Heels wrapped the 2001 season with a 24-9 record, 12-4 in the ACC, and their third straight ACC title. The Tar Heels also hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever. Carolina upset South Carolina in the first round before falling to Pepperdine in the season finale.