MVP of the FallWomen: Calli Corley, senior libero, volleyball
Men: Chase Ortiz, senior defensive end, football
No two student-athletes saw their individual efforts lift their respective teams quite like Corley and Ortiz did this fall. Corley was the catalyst for a team that accumulated 22 wins, second most all-time for the program. Her 568-dig season, good for nearly five a game, made her the all-time leader in the statistic.
In a roller coaster season for the football team, Ortiz’s strong play was one of the few constants for the Frogs. For the season, Ortiz racked up eight sacks, three forced fumbles and 41 tackles, with 15.5 of those going for a loss. The League City native is tabbed to play in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19 in Houston. Simply put, these two got it done.
Breakthrough Athlete
of the fall
Women: Jackie Torda, freshman forward, soccer
Men: Stephen Hodge, junior safety, football
Lighting up the scoreboard and the opposition was the common theme for this fall’s breakthrough athletes. The soccer team got a much-appreciated scoring punch in welcoming Torda to this year’s squad. Torda would finish the season as the leader in goals, points and shots on goal. A hat trick against Prairie View A&M on Oct. 3 made a few people realize Dan Abdalla’s team has a special kind of offensive force for the foreseeable future.
For the men, it is another no-brainer. If Hodge’s performance this season is any indication, he should be ready for an awesome senior campaign. His seven sacks at the safety position (you read that right) and a memorable touchdown return off a blocked punt on Oct. 18 highlighted a season that saw Hodge’s game go to the next level. Conference opponents, take notice.
Newcomer of the Fall
Women: Jessica Miles, freestyle distance, swimming and diving
Men: Andy Dalton, quarterback, football
Promising performances by a couple of new faces have given the swimming and diving and football programs student-athletes to look to in the future. Miles wowed swimming and diving fans with early-season success, winning four events in her first three meets in the 200-freestyle, 500-freestyle and 1,000-freestyle. In the home meet against Wyoming on Nov. 10, she finished two seconds off the school record in the 1,000-free. How good can she be in a few years under the tutelage of Richard Sybesma? The sky is the limit.
On the gridiron, Dalton showed flashes of being the next great thing as well as inexperience that comes with being a redshirt freshman expected to be the starting quarterback. With that being said, Dalton is coming off a magnificent performance against San Diego State and will surely be under center when the Frogs head to Houston or Albuquerque for their bowl game. Not bad for a couple of freshmen.
Game of the Fall
Tie – Soccer’s 3-0 win against No. 22 Utah on Oct. 26 and Volleyball’s 3-2 win against No. 17 Colorado State on Nov. 15
These were landmark wins at home against nationally-ranked opponents, both of which happened to be
conference rivals, for two programs that brought some excitement during the fall to Horned Frogs nation. The best part? Both happened on the respective senior nights.
The 3-0 shutout of a Utah team that had a 13-match unbeaten streak heading into the match gave the team necessary momentum to catapult them to the conference tournament. Sophomore forward Lizzy Karoly’s two-goal showing was one for the books considering the opponent and the atmosphere surrounding the game that night.
A double-double outing from sophomore outside hitter Lauren Otto along with exceptional nights from junior setter Nirelle Hampton and Corley carried Prentice Lewis’ squad to one of its biggest wins, if not the biggest win, of the season. And it all happened on the night they said good-bye. How appropriate.
