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.