Even as Illinois volleyball was still evaluating its disappointing end to the 2012 season, the team received news that provides hope for seasons to come.

Outside hitters Liz McMahon and Jocelynn Birks were honored with Big Ten postseason awards, with McMahon earning her first All-Big Ten award, while Birks recieving an All-Big Ten honorable mention. Birks was also named to the All-Freshman team. Sophomore McMahon and redshirt freshman Birks will return next season among a wealth of younger talent for an Illinois team that at times this season started both freshmen and sophomores.

“I’m happy for them,” head coach Kevin Hambly said. “They earned it. They work hard. They want to be great players. It’s nice for them to be recognized.”

Both McMahon and Birks said they don’t pay much attention to awards but acknowledged their gratitude for receiving them.

“It’s definitely an honor because the Big Ten is so strong with top players,” McMahon said.

The two provided the bulk of the offense for the Illini this season, accounting for 56 percent of the team’s kills. Birks led Illinois with 510 kills on the season and was second on the team with 262 digs. McMahon finished the year second in kills, with 400, while recording 97 blocks. She also recorded the first 30-kill game by an Illinois player since 2008 in the Illini’s win at Northwestern on Nov. 21.

Both players improved steadily throughout the season after struggling under the weight of filling the shoes of two graduated All-Americans in Colleen Ward and Michelle Bartsch. McMahon, in particular, elevated her play late in the year, becoming an even more intrinsic part of the Illini offense after Hambly moved her from the right side to the left late in the season.

“I just got a lot more confident and comfortable,” McMahon said. “At the beginning, my head was kind of spinning trying to take on a bigger load, but I definitely got more comfortable and kinda relaxed.”

Senior Jessica Jendryk was also recognized, receiving a sportsmanship award. Hambly said Jendryk was one of his favorite players he’s ever coached.

“She’s a great kid. She’s a tremendous teammate. If you ever watch the bench, she was leading the bench in lots of ways,” he said.

Penn State raked in a majority of the awards after going 19-1 in conference play and finishing the regular season No. 1 in the country. Outside hitter Ariel Scott was named Player of the Year, Micha Hancock was named Setter of the Year, Megan Courtney was named Freshman of the Year and Russ Rose was named Coach of the Year. It was Rose’s 11th career Coach of the Year award, and his fifth in the last six seasons. Michigan State’s Kori Moster was the only player to crack the Nittany Lions’ stranglehold on the top awards, claiming the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Daniel can be reached at [email protected] and @danielmillermc.