Kim Hill Announced as First-Team Selection for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award

Senior Kim Hill picks up her second postseason award of the week, with the announcement of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.

Kim Hill
 
Kim Hill
  
 

Dec. 15, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The 2011 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award winner, as well as first and second team selections were announced today prior to the semifinal rounds of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship in San Antonio, Texas. Kim Hill was named a first team selection after leading Pepperdine to an Elite Eight appearance at the NCAA Tournament.

Kanani Danielson of Hawai’i was voted the overall winner.

Danielson and Hill (Portland, Ore./Portland Christian HS) were joined by Kaylie Gibson (North Carolina), Sarah Havel (College of Charleston) and Kelly Murphy (Florida) on the first team.

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I women’s volleyball coaches, national volleyball media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. 

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. 

Hill (Portland, Ore./Portland Christian HS) became Pepperdine’s first ever top-10 finalist for the award when the list was announced in October. Miranda Ayim of women’s basketball and baseball’s Nick Gaudi both were honored as top-30 candidates during the 2009 season. 

On the court, Hill has been a standout player for the Waves and most recently was awarded AVCA All-American first team distinction. She led Pepperdine to a 25-7 overall record, and a 15-1 West Coast Conference mark to rank first in the league. Hill was subsequently named WCC Player of the Year.


 

 

The opposite side hitter paced Pepperdine with 3.93 kill/set earned on a .289 hitting percentage. During the postseason, she amped up her performance with 4.21 kills/set.

The senior leaves the indoor court with her named inked in several spots in the Pepperdine record book. She ranks No. 6 all-time with 1,300 kills and a .322 hitting percentage and is tied for third with 376 blocks.

Hill tallied 472 kills during her senior campaign – a statistic that ranks as the fourth most by a Wave in a single season during the rally scoring era.

Hill is been involved in several organizations offered through Pepperdine, most notably SAAC – The Student Athlete Advisory Committee. The organization is involved in numerous community service opportunities throughout the year. Hill actively contributed to the Soles4Souls campaign, which collected gently used shoes for disaster victims. She regularly attends Sideline, a Bible study comprised of student-athletes. Her volunteer efforts have brought her off campus as well, as she has spent time reading with elementary students at area schools and teaching the sport of volleyball to inner city children in Los Angeles.

The senior religion major has epitomized what it means to be a student-athlete, and has excelled in the classroom in addition to her on-court endeavors. At the conclusion of every year, she has been placed on the WCC Commissioner’s “Bronze” Honor Roll, which recognizes student-athletes who have between a 3.00 and a 3.49 cumulative GPA. She has twice been named to the WCC All-Academic first team. To qualify for the award, a student-athlete must earn at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA, be at least a sophomore in standing, and be a significant contributor to the team. Within the department, Hill has been distinguished as a Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete. 

Hill’s character is what sets her apart, according to several of her peers and coaches. She displays a calm, confident leadership on the court. Although, she’s been labeled as one of the most competitive players on the court, Hill has displayed it with a level of sportsmanship and class that is unparalleled. She is the type of team leader who leads by example and action, and always demonstrates confidence in her teammates. Hill has taken advantage of several of the non-athletic opportunities Pepperdine has afforded her – including a trip with her fellow religious studies majors to India over Christmas Break in 2010. Overall, Hill is a clear example of what the Pepperdine Mission stands for.

Hill illustrious indoor volleyball career at Pepperdine may have come to a close, but the senior will have the opportunity to once again lead the Waves this spring when they kick off the inaugural season of NCAA sand volleyball

Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award First-Team
Kanani Danielson, Outside Hitter, Hawaii - Winner
Kaylie Gibson, Libero, North Carolina
Sarah Havel, Middle Blocker, College of Charleston
Kim Hill, Opposite Hitter, Pepperdine
Kelly Murphy, Setter/Right Side, Florida

Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Second-Team
Rachael Adams, Middle Blocker, Texas
Lane Carico, Outside Hitter, Miami (Fla.)
Kelsey Jewasko, Libero, Texas-San Antonio
Tarah Murrey, Outside Hitter, California
Darlene Ramdin, Outside/Middle Hitter, St. John’s (NY)

 

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