Congrats Ladies!
Destinee Hooker wins the USA Volleyball Indoor Female Athlete of the Year for 2012 while USA Volleyball honors Kristin Richards Hildebrand as the Most Improved Player Of The Year.
While we’re super super happy for Hooker (who is suffering a meniscus injury in Russia and will have surgery pretty soon), Kristin’s speech totally steals the spotlight.
We got teary eyed reading this…
“What a humbling surprise and honor. Receiving this award would mean a lot in any circumstance but receiving it this year in particular, it means even more. After losing my mom earlier this year to an inspiring battle with breast cancer, I struggled with whether or not I was even going to return to the USA program, or volleyball at all.
I decided to for a few reasons, but among them was because my USA teammates had become, and are, my family, and the opportunity to compete alongside them at the highest level in the world is one I could not pass up. They, along with our coaching staff, supported me in an unbelievably special way through this summer, helping me get through all the hard moments which allowed me to play freely and improve at the game I’m passionate about. I couldn’t be more grateful for them, or our entire USA Volleyball family.”
A very moving and very touching speech from the 27 year old outside hitter who is currently playing in Turkey.
Once again, congratulations to Kristin and Destinee!
Best Wishes!
(source: USAV/ images: FIVB & zimbio.com)
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