Dittenbir, Hess VU’s Athletes of the Year
Robbin Dittenbir, who was a senior on the women’s basketball team,
and Matt Hess, a forward on the men’s soccer squad, earned Vanguard
University’s Female and Male Athlete of the Year awards,
respectively.
Dittenbir wrapped up her Vanguard career with a host of local and
national awards. She is a first-time recipient of the university’s
honor, Vanguard’s highest in-house athletic achievement.
Ditttenbir, a 5-foot-7 guard, averaged 10.8 points, 8.6 rebounds,
3.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game while helping lead the Vanguard
women’s basketball team to a Golden State Athletic Conference
championship and an appearance in the NAIA Division I national
tournament’s Final Four. It was Vanguard’s first Final Four
appearance.
Vanguard (28-10, 18-2 in the GSAC) defeated Oklahoma Christian,
61-60, March 22 at the Oman Arena in Jackson, Tenn. Dittenbir scored
the winning basket, as she drove the lane and put in a layup with
eight seconds remaining to cap a thrilling comeback. Vanguard
outscored Oklahoma Christian, 17-2, in the final 5:58.
The Lions lost in the semifinals, 62-49, to eventual NAIA national
champion Southern Nazarene.
Dittenbir received first-team national tournament honors, and she
also claimed a spot on the NAIA All-American second team. In
addition, she earned All-NAIA scholar-athlete and All-GSAC academic
recognition.
Hess, a Valley Christian High graduate, has played two seasons for
the Lions soccer team. He earned NAIA All-American, NAIA All-Region
II and All-GSAC recognition for Vanguard in 2002.
Hess, who will be a junior in the fall, led the Lions with 21
goals in 20 games. He also scored three game-winning goals. The Lions
finished 8-12, 4-6 in the GSAC.
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