Freshman of the Year 2011-2012

Rose Sparks/Index

Abby Moser’s freshman year is one of the best ever throughout the history of Truman State’s volleyball program. Moser jumpstarted her Truman career winning three straight Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) specialist of the week awards — a feat no other Bulldog throughout the history of the program has accomplished. Moser notched a career high of 37 digs in a single match against Minnesota State University – Mankato early during the 2011 season. Moser finished the year by compiling a single-season school record of 699 digs, leading the Bulldogs to another 20-win season in the MIAA. Abby finished the year ranked second in the MIAA with an average of 5.34 digs a set and 377 digs during conference play. Her 699 digs was the highest of any player in the MIAA last season, and Moser said she is determined to top that number next season. She said to be the best, you have to have a good attitude, strong work ethic and drive.

Head coach Ben Briney said after a dominant freshman campaign, expectations are high for the program and the sky is the limit for Moser next fall. Briney said a key reason Moser was recruited was for her winning attitude and dedication to improvement. He said he doesn’t expect a sophomore slump in performance because Moser isn’t the type of athlete who ever feels complacent with her game. Briney said Moser’s work ethic is already on full display with her regular offseason workouts and preparations for a busy summer with her old club team and volleyball camps.

“Abby comes in every day with the goal of getting better and that is a big reason why she has accomplished all she has accomplished thus far in her career,” Briney said.

Briney said, next fall, the Bulldogs bid for a conference title during the 2012 season will likely depend on Moser’s development after her stellar year one. If she stays focused, Briney said her maturation as a leader might be all the ’Dogs need to reach the next level.

Abby Hempen

Abby Hempen said all she wanted was to make an impact as a member of the womens swim team during her first year in the pool at Truman State.  Little did she know, it would be an immediate and record-breaking year for the talented swimmer from O’Fallon, Mo. Hempen took home first place in the 100 and 200 meter breaststroke at the New South Intercollegiate Conference Championships last February and while doing so set a new conference record in the 200 meter breaststroke. Abby took home Truman’s top finish at the 2012 Division II Men’s & Women’s Championship meet with her 7th place performance in the 200-meter breaststroke. Hempen also earned All-American status as a member of the women’s 400-meter medley relay, which also included sophomore Casey Jepsen, sophomore Beth Eyanson and junior Jessica Jenkot. Hempen attributes her success during 2012 to her coaches, teammates and family. Hempen said having her parents at every meet to support her made it easier for her to excel this season. Hempen said her goal is to reach the finals and swim her fastest times in both the 100 and 200 meter breaststroke at the national meet next spring.

In his first true test as womens swim team head coach, Ed Pretre said the team will look to join the national rankings next season on the backs of its seniors and Pretre’s first recruiting class. Pretre said he expects the team to have a chance to remain among the top 10 in the nation throughout the season if his swimmers can remain healthy.

t could be argued that no Bulldog freshman has had a more successful first year than softball pitcher Kelsea Dorsey. A 16-game winner, Dorsey has logged 154 innings, six complete games, three pitched shutouts and owns the first Truman no-hitter since 2009. Dorsey said her primary motivation is her faith in God, and that faith, along with constant encouragement from her friends and family, has helped her to succeed. Dorsey said even though she takes pitching seriously, her teammates would describe her as lighthearted and fun to be around.

While her teammates might enjoy seeing her, her opponents this season would probably like to never see her again. Not only does Dorsey rank third in strikeouts in the MIAA, but she is holding opponents to a .245 batting average and has struck out a total of 129 batters this year, 30 of which went down looking. Dorsey said she is extremely honored to play for Truman and is excited to continue to improve for next year.

Softball head coach Erin Brown said, in 2013,  she expects Dorsey to continue to have success.

“She’s really coachable,” Brown said, “You can just say ‘Hey, try this’ and she can do it and it works. She has a good attitude and works hard.”

Brown said the team, while disappointed with the end of this season coming without a bid into the conference tournament, is excited for the possibilities next year. With the emergence of Dorsey, Brown said Truman has a chance to compete for the MIAA conference title during 2013.