Wisconsin Rookie of the Year honors go to freshman Audra Jeffers, who played a major role in leading the women's volleyball team to their second-straight Elite Eight appearance in the 2005 NCAA Tournament.
Jeffers was named UW's Offensive Player of the Year after leading the team with 382 kills in her first season. She was also named to the Big Ten's academic and All-Freshman teams to go along with two all-tournament teams.
Jeffers emerged as the team's starting opposite hitter and played a big role in the team's second-place Big Ten finish and run in the NCAA Tournament. Jeffers tallied 16 kills in the Badger's victory over Notre Dame to reach the Elite Eight and added 10 kills in the loss to eventual national champion Washington Huskies that ended UW's season.
The Hartland, Wis. native red-shirted in 2004 and watched her team make a similar run to the Regional Finals after a big upset over Hawaii in the Sweet 16. With three years of eligibility left, Jeffers will be looking to take the team even further next season.
Honorable mention: Yi Ting Siow
Yi Ting placed fifth in the 200-yard IM and sixth in the 200-yard breaststroke at the NCAA championships.
Siow played a large role in helping Wisconsin finish in the ninth place at the NCAA championships, marking their highest finish ever.
The women's swimming team was ranked most of the season, going into nationals ranked No. 12.
Siow also swam very well in the Big Ten Championships, with a first-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke, an 11th-place finish in the 200-yard IM, and a seventh-place finish in the 400-yard IM.
The Seremban, Malaysia native represented her home country in both the 2000 and 2004 Olympics before joining the Badgers.
