USA Volleyball has already named Matt Anderson & Destinee Hooker as the Indoor Players Of The Year while Kristin Richards Hildebrand and Donald Suxho are the Most Improved Athletes of 2012.

More USA Volleyball awards were handed out over a week ago and below are the honorees:

USA Beach Team Of The Year

Jennifer Kessy:

“We didn’t have our best year leading into the Olympics. In Rome we got on the podium (with a bronze). You want to win every tournament. But the main goal was winning at the Olympics.

Kessy plans to retire after the 2013 season and as for the future

“Domestically, we would love to bring more popularity to the sport. We really want it to get back on TV.”

On April Ross

“April would not cancel practice if it was snowing out there. Sometimes she hurts her neck and can barely move and I have to force her to leave. She’s so motivated and she wants to be at practice and does not want to miss a workout. She always works as hard as she can the entire time. Sometimes I’m not feeling it at the gym; it really pushes me to snap out of it.”

April Ross:

“I thought we were going to be a bigger presence on the podium going into the Olympics. I can remember being upset about it. Maybe it helped us in the end. I wasn’t overconfident going into London.”

On defeating Brazil’s Juliana & Larissa

“That was the most fun and meaningful match I’ve played in my entire life,” Ross said. “I’ve played in the world championships and the NCAA championships. That match was by far the best thing in my career.””

On Jennifer Kessy

“I think as a player, if I have to narrow it down, it’s her competitiveness. It probably exceeds anyone I’ve ever known. It really does get us through matches sometimes. I think in our partnership, we have a lot of balance. Having fun and enjoying what you do is important to your success.”

On the future

“I want to focus on being the best volleyball player I can be. Going forward, I don’t know what is going to happen. I believe in being prepared for anything.”

Indoor Team Of The Year

Lindsey Berg:

“We made an incredible run. We were undefeated all summer (one loss without the Olympians) and with 25 girls playing many different spots. Obviously it is disappointing, but obviously it is an incredible journey to do what we did the last four years. I am proud of my team and have no regrets with what I left on the court.”

Coach Hugh McCutcheon:

“Our team had a great season in 2012 and we’re honored to receive this recognition from USA Volleyball.”

Sitting Team Of The Year

U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Head Coach and Program Director Bill Hamiter:

“What makes it special is there are some pretty high-level athletes on that team. As a whole, they’re a very competitive group. They’ve been in situations where maybe they’re not playing at the level they would like, but they still figure out a way to win.

“I think we will have a good group of experienced, hungry players. We also have some new players who will chip in and make the roster.”

Beach Female Athlete Of The Year

Misty May:

“I still feel like somebody pinch me that this just happened. We’ve been walking around the stadium saying it feels like an out-of-body experience. This was about the experience, the friendship, the journey and volleyball was just a small part of it.”

Misty has officially announced that she’s retiring after the 2012 Olympics.

Beach Male Athlete Of The Year

Jake Gibb:

“I am very honored and very excited about the award. Absolutely this has been my best year ever. It’s crazy that I’m 36 years old and just had my best year. The impressive thing was just getting through that year (2011). In 2012, I regrouped and that is a testament to good coaching and support.”

Jake Gibb will partner with Casey Patterson starting next season.

Sitting Volleyball Male Athlete Of The Year

James Stuck:

“Without my team, I wouldn’t have the opportunities that I have.

I want to thank the guys for sticking with everything through all the trials and tribulations. I want to thank (Head Coach) Bill Hamiter specifically for putting up with us. Thanks to my wife for taking care of our house and family while I am at these tournaments.”

Stuck plans to continue playing for the US Sitting Team & dreams to compete at the 2014 WOVD Sitting Volleyball World Championships and the 2016 Paralympic Games.

Sitting Volleyball Female Athlete Of The Year

Katie Holloway:

I am very honored to be named Player of the Year. I am so thankful to USA Volleyball for all the support throughout the last four years and leading up to London.

My highlight for 2012 was the semifinal round against Ukraine,” Holloway said. “I felt we played some of the best volleyball during that match. The low point was losing the third set to China in the gold medal round. It hurt my heart.”

I absolutely could not have been where I am without the help of (U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Head Coach) Bill Hamiter, our athletic trainer Brian Choate and the team. Bill has created an amazing program that has helped us become faster and stronger and helped us develop a greater volleyball IQ. Brian has made me the healthiest I can be and was of utmost importance to my mental and physical well-being.

My teammates have been critical in getting us to the top and I couldn’t imagine finishing the way we did without all of us together.

This sport is so close to my heart, I definitely couldn’t live without it,” Holloway said. “But as I transition into the next chapter of my life and my career, I will probably spend some time off getting settled into my new position. I am very excited to see how the program blossoms from here, we already have so many new players who look promising.”

Congratulations to all the Awardees!

(source: USAV/ images: FIVB/ WOVD/ Zimbio.com)