Cassie Loessberg Receives Evelyn Schwartz Award
April 28, 2010
Coral Gables, Fla. – University of Miami volleyball senior Cassie Loessberg was awarded the Evelyn Schwartz Award on Tues., Apr. 27, at a special luncheon with Evelyn Schwartz in attendance. Also in attendance for the luncheon was UM Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt, Amy Ferguson of the UM Hurricane Club and head volleyball coach Nicole Lantagne Welch.
Each year, the University of Miami athletics department honors a student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding leadership and character by awarding them the Evelyn Schwartz Award presented by the Golden Canes. With Loessberg receiving this year’s award, she becomes just the second volleyball student-athlete to accept the honor, joining Jamie Grass (2004) with the distinction.
Loessberg, a senior libero recently completing her final season, ended her four-year career as Miami’s all-time digs leader, registering 2,008 total digs. That is almost 400 more digs than Jamie Grass (2001-04), who was Miami’s all-time leader entering the 2009 season with 1,621. Loessberg played an intricate defensive role in advancing UM into the 2009 NCAA Tournament [Gainesville Regional].
For her efforts during the 2009 campaign, Loessberg collected two end-of-year team awards, collecting the 100% Award – given annually to the player who exemplifies a dedication of 100 percent day-in and day-out, also collecting the Most Inspirational Award. She ended the season ranked 31st nationally for digs per set (5.03), and had 14 matches in which she registered 20-or more digs. Her 4.43 career digs per set average sits atop the all-time UM record books, while she also ranks atop Miami’s all-time list for service aces (133).
A native of Sacramento, Calif., Loessberg recently took part in the U.S. National Team Open Tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was also named as an AVCA All-America honorable mention performer, while also being selected to the 2009 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Volleyball Team.
Previous winners of the Evelyn Schwartz Award have included Twan Russell (Football-1997), Pat Burrell (Baseball – 1998), Emily Brelsford (Diving – 1999), Mario Bland (Men’s Basketball – 2000), Jenny Keim & Johan Lindqvist (Women’s Swimming & Men’s Tennis – 2001), Joaquin Gonzalez (Football – 2002), James Jones & Megan Saake (Men’s Basketball & Women’s Basketball – 2003), Jamie Grass (Volleyball – 2004), Megan Bradley (Women’s Tennis – 2005), Kelly Jennings (Football – 2006), Brenda Faluade (Women’s Track – 2007), Glenn Cook (Football – 2008) and Jack McClinton (Men’s Basketball – 2009).
