W&L's Wills, SU's Bailey Earn Special Recognition

FOREST, Va. --- Lynchburg College midfielder Nicole Simpao picked up a pair of special awards as part of the All-ODAC field hockey awards, becoming the first player to earn ODAC Player of the Year and ODAC Rookie of the Year distinction since the sport began honoring the top first year player in 2000.  Washington and Lee University mentor Gina Wills received ODAC Coach of the Year recognition, while Shenandoah University midfielder Kelani Bailey received the ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award.

Simpao, a freshman from Stafford, Va., became an instant playmaker for the Hornets, leading the league with 42 points behind an ODAC-best 12 assists and 15 goals, which tied for second in the conference.  After going without a point in three of her first seven games played, Simpao went on a run of 12 straight contests with at least one point to close the season.  Three times during that stretch she racked up five points in a game, twice against league opponents.  She had five games of two goals and notched the game-deciding goal on five occasions.  She was also a perfect 5-for-5 on penalty strokes.

Wills just completed her first year at Washington and Lee, marking her ninth overall as a collegiate head coach after guiding DePauw University to 121-40 showing over the previous eight seasons.  Her impact on the team saw the Generals improve upon the 4-4 mark the squad posted in 2014 to 6-1 and the ODAC Tournament's top seed this season.  Six of W&L's seven overall losses were by one goal, including a 1-0 thriller to Bridgewater in the ODAC title game, the Generals first appearance in the championship contest since donning the crown in 2005.

Bailey, a senior from Norfolk, Va., combines this honor with a spot on the All-ODAC First Team.  In the classroom, Bailey posts a 3.91 grade point average as a Business and Sports Management double major.  The President of SU's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), she is a multi-honoree on the Shenandoah Dean's List as well as a two-time member of the NFHCA All-Academic Team.  A three-time All-ODAC Academic Team member, Bailey was selected to participate in the NCAA Leadership Forum.  As a team captain on the field, Bailey notched 17 points on six goals and five assists from her center midfield position.  Her efforts include three game-winning tallies, not to mention serving as a key cog in the Hornets' offensive and defensive corner setups.

Listed below are the 2015 All-ODAC Field Hockey Awards.  For more information, visit any of the participating schools' websites, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter.

ODAC Player of the Year: Nicole Simpao, Fr., M, Lynchburg
ODAC Coach of the Year: Gina Wills, Washington and Lee
ODAC Rookie of the Year: Nicole Simpao, Fr., M, Lynchburg
ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete: Kelani Bailey, Sr., M, Shenandoah