All active members of the WPVA voted for the nine of the awards, including most valuable, most improved, best setter, best hitter, best blocker, best defender, most inspirational, sportswomanship and rookie-of-the-year.
McPeak was recognized for the third-straight season as both the WPVA's most valuable player and top defensive player. Arce, who was No. 2 in the most valuable player voting, was selected as both the top hitter and best blocker.
Arce, who also finished as the Evian Tour's top server, was the WPVA's top rookie in 1994 and most improved player in 1995. She also tied for second in the 1997 most improved voting with Jennifer Meredith.
Other players being selected for 1997 WPVA post-season awards were Leanne Schuster for most improved, Karolyn Kirby as the best setter for the fifth-straight season, Dennie Shupryt-Knoop as the most inspirational for the second-straight season, Elaine Roque as the top sportswoman for the third-straight season, and Meredith and Elaine Youngs as the top rookies.
Despite only competing in six events this season, Youngs became the first pro beach rookie to ever win an event as she teamed with Masakayan to win Evian Tour stops in Chicago (July 13) and here this weekend. Youngs also set a WPVA rookie earnings record with $17,741.25.
Linda Hanley finished second in the voting for best hitter and winning the award in 1996. McPeak was second to Kirby in the best setter voting while Nancy Reno was second among blocking vote- getters after winning the award in 1992, 1995 and 1996.
Barbra Fontana was second for the third-straight year in the top defender voting after winning the honor in both 1993 and 1994. Gail Castro and Liz Masakayan finished second in the voting for sportswoman and most inspirational, respectively.
Masakayan, who had been previously selected as the WPVA's most valuable player (1992 and 1993), top defender (1991 and 1992) and top hitter (1993 and 1994), was the circuit's most inspirational player in 1995.
The WPVA initiated "Official Awards" in 1990. The "Judy Bellomo Memorial Most Inspirational Award" was established to honor the late player. A total of 28 players have received awards in the 10 categories since 1990, including nine players that have won two or more awards. Lisa Arce has won awards in five different categories, Liz Masakayan in four, Karolyn Kirby and Nancy Reno in three each, and Holly McPeak, Deb Richardson, Angela Rock, Elaine Roque and Dennie Shupryt- Knoop two each. Here are the 1997 winners along with past recipients.
Sportswomanship Award 1997 - Elaine Roque 1996 - Roque 1995 - Roque 1994 - Dennie Shupryt-Knoop 1993 - Shupryt-Knoop 1992 - Roque 1991 - Roque 1990 - Shupryt-Knoop Most Improved 1997 - Leanne Schuster 1996 - Krista Blomquist 1995 - Lisa Arce 1994 - Monique Oliver 1993 - Wendy Fletcher 1992 - Nancy Reno 1991 - Marla O'Hara 1990 - Gayle Stammer Best Hitter/Offensive Player 1997 - Lisa Arce 1996 - Linda Hanley 1995 - Reno 1994 - Liz Masakayan 1993 - Masakayan 1992 - Karolyn Kirby 1991 - Angela Rock 1990 - Kirby Most Inspirational 1997 - Shupryt-Knoop 1996 - Shupryt-Knoop 1995 - Masakayan 1994 - Shupryt-Knoop 1993 - Shupryt-Knoop 1992 - Cammy Ciarelli 1991 - Nina Matthies 1990 - Matthies Best Setter 1997 - Kirby 1996 - Kirby 1995 - Kirby 1994 - Kirby 1993 - Kirby 1992 - Jackie Silva 1991 - Kirby Rookie of the Year 1997 - Jennifer Meredith/Elaine Youngs 1996 - Lynda Johnson 1995 - Jenny Griffith 1994 - Arce 1993 - Johanna Wright 1992 - Valinda Hilleary 1991 - Holly McPeak 1990 - Alison Johnson Best Defensive 1997 - McPeak 1996 - McPeak 1995 - McPeak 1994 - Barbra Fontana 1993 - Fontana 1992 - Masakayan 1991 - Masakayan 1990 - Janice Harrer Best Blocker 1997 - Arce 1996 - Reno 1995 - Reno 1994 - Deb Richardson 1993 - Roque 1992 - Reno 1991 - Roque Ace 1997 - Arce 1996 - Rock 1995 - Rock 1994 - Richardson 1993 - Gail Castro 1992 - Rock Most Valuable Player 1997 - McPeak 1996 - McPeak 1995 - McPeak 1994 - Kirby 1993 - Kirby/Masakayan 1992 - Masakayan 1991 - Kirby 1990 - Kirby