George Washington University Athletics
Bowman Named Spring 2021 Team MVP
6/7/2021 2:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
WASHINGTONÂ - Junior libero Bella Bowman was named the team's MVP for the delayed 2020 season thanks to her impact both on and off the court in an unprecedented season.
"As our libero, Bella has a great impact on both offense and defense," head coach Sarah Bernson said. "Her serve receive is very reliable, and she executes by her prominent skill and presence on the court. Defensively, we know we can count on her handling balls sent to the left side of the court and creating some fantastic defensive saves.
"Bella has worked hard this past year on increasing her range in pursuit of balls, both in a larger floor radius and in the air for balls above her as well. Not only are these defensive plays keeping the balls off the floor, she is bringing those balls up for our team to set a hitter. Our dig-to-attack ability is very high because of Bella and her determination and skill."
Bowman paced the Buff & Blue in digs for the third time in as many years this season, recording 159 in 35 sets across nine matches for an average of 4.54/set. She recorded double-digit digs in eight of her nine matches and crossed the 1,000-dig threshold on Feb. 19 vs La Salle after tying her career-high with 36 digs in the match.
In her career, Bowman has racked up 1,045 digs (4.41/set) and is on pace to crack into the program's all-time top-10 this fall, needing 185 digs to do so.Â
In addition to the on-court accolades, Bowman made her presence felt outside of competition, both in practice and away from the court.Â
"Bella is the ultimate competitor," assistant coach Christian Kiselica said. "She comes to every practice ready to work hard and continuously pursues to improve her game. Having Bella in the practice gym is like having another coach out there for us. She always strives to help her teammates with their skills, while also holding them accountable to a high standard of excellence."
"Bella has the ability to lead her team on and off the court," assistant coach Brianna Barry added. "Seeing Bella bloom into a positive, compassionate leader through our work with Team Impact has been a great joy. She works hard with her leadership team members to create an energetic and exciting virtual environment for Gianna through games and activities."
The team MVP award has been given out each year in the program since 1988. Bowman joins a list of GW greats that includes three All-Americans:
1988: Cheryl Farley
1989: Cindy LaRock
1990: Allison O'Neill
1991: Cinnamon Burnim
1992: Svetlana Vtyurina
1993: Liu Li
1994: Liu Li
1995: Jill Lammert
1996: Kate Haubenreich
1997: Jill Levey
1998: Jill Levey
1999: Gabriela Mojska
2000: Jill Levey
2001: Ruth Lazzari
2002: Sarah Hokom
2003: Lauren Dunning
2004: Molly Law
2005: Joliene McLaughlin
2006: Kaimana Lee
2007: Janine Brown
2008: Leah Hill
2009: Leah Hill
2010: Katie Zulandt
2011: Candace Silva-Martin
2012: Candace Silva-Martin
2013: Chidima Osuchukwu
2014: Chidima Osuchukwu
2015: Maddy Doyle
2016: Kelsey Clark
2017: Kristel Moor
2018: Jaimeson Lee
2019: Skylar Iott
"As our libero, Bella has a great impact on both offense and defense," head coach Sarah Bernson said. "Her serve receive is very reliable, and she executes by her prominent skill and presence on the court. Defensively, we know we can count on her handling balls sent to the left side of the court and creating some fantastic defensive saves.
"Bella has worked hard this past year on increasing her range in pursuit of balls, both in a larger floor radius and in the air for balls above her as well. Not only are these defensive plays keeping the balls off the floor, she is bringing those balls up for our team to set a hitter. Our dig-to-attack ability is very high because of Bella and her determination and skill."
Bowman paced the Buff & Blue in digs for the third time in as many years this season, recording 159 in 35 sets across nine matches for an average of 4.54/set. She recorded double-digit digs in eight of her nine matches and crossed the 1,000-dig threshold on Feb. 19 vs La Salle after tying her career-high with 36 digs in the match.
In her career, Bowman has racked up 1,045 digs (4.41/set) and is on pace to crack into the program's all-time top-10 this fall, needing 185 digs to do so.Â
In addition to the on-court accolades, Bowman made her presence felt outside of competition, both in practice and away from the court.Â
"Bella is the ultimate competitor," assistant coach Christian Kiselica said. "She comes to every practice ready to work hard and continuously pursues to improve her game. Having Bella in the practice gym is like having another coach out there for us. She always strives to help her teammates with their skills, while also holding them accountable to a high standard of excellence."
"Bella has the ability to lead her team on and off the court," assistant coach Brianna Barry added. "Seeing Bella bloom into a positive, compassionate leader through our work with Team Impact has been a great joy. She works hard with her leadership team members to create an energetic and exciting virtual environment for Gianna through games and activities."
The team MVP award has been given out each year in the program since 1988. Bowman joins a list of GW greats that includes three All-Americans:
1988: Cheryl Farley
1989: Cindy LaRock
1990: Allison O'Neill
1991: Cinnamon Burnim
1992: Svetlana Vtyurina
1993: Liu Li
1994: Liu Li
1995: Jill Lammert
1996: Kate Haubenreich
1997: Jill Levey
1998: Jill Levey
1999: Gabriela Mojska
2000: Jill Levey
2001: Ruth Lazzari
2002: Sarah Hokom
2003: Lauren Dunning
2004: Molly Law
2005: Joliene McLaughlin
2006: Kaimana Lee
2007: Janine Brown
2008: Leah Hill
2009: Leah Hill
2010: Katie Zulandt
2011: Candace Silva-Martin
2012: Candace Silva-Martin
2013: Chidima Osuchukwu
2014: Chidima Osuchukwu
2015: Maddy Doyle
2016: Kelsey Clark
2017: Kristel Moor
2018: Jaimeson Lee
2019: Skylar Iott
2020: Bella Bowman
Players Mentioned
L
/ Women's VolleyballGW Volleyball Recap vs IU INDY (09/13/24)
Monday, September 16
Then & Now: Volleyball
Tuesday, August 09
GW Water Polo vs Johns Hopkins
Thursday, October 14
GW Water Polo vs Fordham
Thursday, October 14