2 Female to Receive Honda-broderick Cup

Two female athletes from Lock Haven University are among the 11 finalists to receive the Honda-Broderick Cup. This is awarded to the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year for Division II.

The two Lady Eagles vying for the honor are Senior Li Yizhi (Shanghai, China) and sophomore Kristen Erb (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township).

Li wrapped up one of the most outstanding careers in the women’s athletics history of Lock Haven this past fall. She is a three-time All-American and the most garnished volleyball player in the history of Lock Haven. She got the title American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Co-National Player of the Year during the 2006 season.

She played from 2003 up to the 2006 seasons and her name is dribbled all throughout the record books of the seasons. She has 14 school records. These include breaking the records for the new standards for career digs (1,717) and total blocks (704). In 2003, she led the nation in hitting percentage as a freshman (.471), in 2004 as a sophomore (.461) and in 2006 also again as a senior (.465).

In the Official 2006 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Records Book, Li YiZhi is only the player who owns a higher career hitting percentage in any NCAA Division. Amy Albers, the leader, is from a Division III school and played for Washington-St. Louis. She hit the record at .530 and played in 1992-94.

With .456, YiZhi’s second overall mark is the new career record for Division II. Moreover, it also tops the Division I record of .423.

At the LHU, during her time, she has helped the program through a 124-22 (.849) record for over four seasons. She also had two PSAC West Regular season championships, three PSAC Tournament championships, and four Atlantic Region championships. These are the things that made this female athlete to qualify as one of the 11 finalists to receive the Honda-Broderick Cup.

Kristen Erb entered and finished a dramatic second year season. She led the Lady Eagles to their second straight National Championship tournament and a 52-5 mark. She had her sensational rookie season that paved way for Haven to experience their first national championship in softball. She also got the Honda-Broderick Cup in 2006.

With an amazing 39-4 record, she finished the season running her career record to 75-5 in the circle. After this season, she was able to qualify in the First Team All-American selection; and in 2007, she was named Daktronics All-American First Team Pitcher of the Year.

LHU has lost only nine games in the last two seasons with Erb leading the way.

A recipient of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Pitcher of the Year honors, Erb qualified for the 2007 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II All-Region First-Team.

She led the Haven at the same time earning PSAC and NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Region titles and received MVP honors in both tournaments; a superb ability of a female athlete.

Erb got 280.2 innings and recorded 299 strikeouts while allowing just 22 walks on the season. She gave up just 32 runs. Twenty five of which were earned while running her ERA to a stellar 0.62 which is the top mark at the Division II level in the nation. With 18 shootouts, she pitched 31 complete and stunning games. And with seven homeruns, she hit .328 with 40 RBIs. This female athlete is really a pride of Lock Haven University since this is the second straight year that Erb has led the nation in ERA.

For this season, Erb was twice named NFCA National Player of the Week. She has also earned the honor of PSAC West Pitcher of the Week four times.

In its 31st year, the Honda-Broderick Cup recognizes and commends the efforts of the top woman collegiate athlete in each of the 11 sports for Honda Sports Awards. In effect, the 11 award winners will then receive their eligibility to be recipients of Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year award.

The American Honda Motor Co. Inc. will sponsor the awards program and the winner of the Honda-Broderick Cup will be declared on June 25 in New York City at Columbia University.

About Honda Motors Company

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. or simply called Honda is a Japanese engine manufacturer and engineering corporation. It is most well known as manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, placing Nissan in the second spot as the second largest seller of auto mobiles in Japan. It also produces a wide list of other products such as Honda timing belt, trucks, scooters, robots, jets and jet engines, ATV, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment, and aeronautical and other mobile technologies and systems.

With its main headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Honda has it market in the US that is headquartered in Torrance, California.

Aside from the automotive industry, the company is also involved in racing and other sports.

About the Author

Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.