Cara Baarendse | Junior | Mason, Ohio
For the second straight year, Cara Baarendse earns the nod as Inside Hokie Sports’ volleyball athlete of the year, and her accomplishments warrant it.
Baarendse finished her junior season with 327 kills and 225 digs, averaging 2.70 and 1.86 per set, respectively. The middle blocker was second on the team with a .295 hitting percentage, while adding 84 blocks on the defensive end. She strung together an eight-match streak where she had double-digit kills in each outing. Ten of her team-best 20 double-digit kills matches also came in the final 11 matches of the season. She added six double-doubles in her third season in Blacksburg.
Baarendse earned second-team All-ACC honors for the second straight season. She also earned a spot on the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-East Region squad and she was named an honorable mention All-American by the AVCA as well.
For good measure, she and teammate Jennifer Wiker were named to the All-ACC Academic team. She is majoring in human development.
