Blue White Illustrated

assists were both team-highs – and extended to areas of the game that the average fan might not notice, but about which her coach now beams with pride. Of BWI's Female Athlete of the Year, Walsh said, "Christine's game has become so complete." The foundation was fitness. A gifted passer with a rare understanding of pace and positioning, Nairn was often able to dictate the flow of games without having to cover much ground. But Walsh and her staff had pinpointed the times when Nairn's influence tended to wane: at the end of each half, a sure sign of a tired player. So it was that Walsh sent her home last spring with a simple directive: "Leave your cleats. Take your running shoes." Nairn bought in, taking up CrossFit and putting in two and three workouts a day, first at her brother's gym back in Maryland, and then at Lion- KELSEY AMY State, she picked up right where she left off, scoring 16 goals and adding six assists in 20 games to claim Big Ten Forward of the Year honors for the second season in a row. FIELD HOCKEY Amy, a senior from Sweet Valley, Pa., was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and won first-team All-America honors for the second consecutive season after scoring 24 goals and adding 12 assists in 22 games. She was the key to Penn State's triumph at the conference tournament, bringing home MVP honors after scoring both of Penn State's goals in a 2-0 victory over Michigan in the championship game. CASSIDY BELL SOFTBALL A year ago, the California outfielder set a school record by batting .423 for the season. Tough act to follow? Not for Bell. In her final season at Penn State, she shattered her own record by batting .454. Bell also finished with 41 RBIs and set single-season school records for home runs (19), runs (52) and walks (41). She was named a first-team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. MAYA HAYES SOCCER The season was already under way when Hayes returned to the Lions. She had been playing for the U.S. National Team, helping it lay claim to the U-20 Women's World Cup championship. When she got back to Penn MAGGIE LUCAS BASKETBALL The sharpshooting junior guard was named Big Ten Player of the Year and won second-team All-America honors from The Associated Press after averaging 20.1 points a game. She became the first Lady Lion to average more than 20 points since Kelly Mazzante in 2003-04. With one season remaining, Lucas ranks seventh in school history with 1,838 career points. She's not going to catch Mazzante (2,919) for Penn State's all-time scoring title, but Susan Robinson, who is in second place with 2,253, had better watch her back. ARIEL SCOTT VOLLEYBALL The junior opposite hitter was one of the big reasons Penn State won yet another Big Ten championship and reached the NCAA semifinals. She led the Nittany Lions with 469 kills and had a .302 hitting percentage, helping Penn State finish third in the country in that department. She was named the Big Ten's Player of the Year and also won first-team AllAmerica honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

• Cover