May 15, 2014
Campbell, Calif.-----School record-setting freshman Clara Espar Llaquet was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 San José State University women's water polo team at the Spartans' annual awards banquet.
Espar Llaquet led the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) and the Spartans in goal scoring with 96 goals, 10 more than the previous school single-season record of 86 set by Adriana Vogt in 2011. Espar Llaquet's total was the second highest by a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) freshman in conference history. The second-team All-MPSF selection was the team's only player to score in every game in 2014.
Espar Llaquet also was named the team's Newcomer of the Year.
Sophomore Rae Lekness was named the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Lekness was second on the team and fourth in conference in scoring with her single-season best 76 goals. Lekness scored in 29 of the team's 33 games and found the cage for six or more goals in a game three times during the season. She tied the single-game school record of eight goals in the February 22 win over Pacific.
Juniors Victoria Smith and senior Alisa Argend were named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Improved Player, respectively. For Smith, this year marked the second in a row she was received the team's Most Outstanding Defensive Player award. Junior Morgan Small, one of five San Jose State Dean's Scholar award winners, received the team's Scholar-Athlete Award.
Senior Rachel Henry was given the annual Adriane Riddle Award for inspiration, dedication and courage. Henry finished with a personal high 26 goals in 2014.
The first Loustrong Award named after former coach Lou Tully (1943-2013) recognizing passion and daily contributions to the team was awarded to junior co-captain Timi Molnar. The second-team All-MPSF selection scored 50 goals for the Spartans, the third time in her career she scored 50 or more goals in a season. Molnar and junior Dani Styles were recognized for their service as team captains of a San Jose State team that finished with a 20-13 record and set a record for single-season team scoring with 393 goals.
Seniors Ashlea Coski, Katie Lind, Najelah Najdawi, Maddie Reardon, Argend and Henry also were honored for completing their Spartan playing careers.