Ultiworld Announces 2023 Club Player of the Year and All-Club Teams
Ultiworld is excited to reveal the winners of the annual Club Awards, starting with the Club Player of the Year in each division. The Club Awards, which consider both regular season and postseason performance, prioritize success in the Series and at Nationals. The winners are determined through a voting process involving Ultiworld reporters, contributors, and editors.
The All-Club teams recognize the top performers in the division, with the First Team consisting of the top seven players and the Second Team consisting of the next seven players who had outstanding seasons. The top vote-getters for All-Club honors are then used as the ordered list for the Player of the Year voting, which is the highest individual award.
The 2023 Women’s All-Club First Team includes Claire Trop from Washington DC Scandal, who was named the Player of the Year. Trop had an exceptional season, finishing as the only player at Club Nationals to achieve a triple double in her statline. Despite playing through injury and fatigue, Trop led Scandal to the final, a feat the team hadn’t accomplished in a decade. Trop is widely regarded as the best player in the world right now.
Valeria Cardenas from Denver Molly Brown was named the Player of the Year First Runner-up. Cardenas, known for her exceptional throwing skills, showcased her defensive prowess this year, co-leading Molly Brown in recorded blocks at Nationals. She continues to be one of the best players in the division.
Kami Groom from Washington DC Scandal was named the Player of the Year Second Runner-up. Groom’s dominance in the club women’s division is unmatched, with her goal-scoring ability, defensive pressure, and speed making her a force to be reckoned with. Despite Scandal falling short in the final, Groom’s performance was outstanding.
Angela Zhu from Boston Brute Squad also made the All-Club First Team. Zhu’s impact on the team cannot be understated, as she led her team in blocks in both the regular season and at Nationals. Her defensive skills played a crucial role in Brute Squad’s success.
Levke Walczak from Boston Brute Squad, known for her standout performance at World Games 2022, continued to impress this year. Despite not practicing with Brute Squad during the regular season, Walczak’s adaptability and versatility made her a valuable asset to the team.
Kaela Helton from San Diego Flipside showcased her two-way ability and versatility throughout the season. Helton played a key role in Flipside’s 5-1 record at Nationals, with her ability to excel under pressure setting her apart.
Manuela Cardenas from Denver Molly Brown rounded out the All-Club First Team. Cardenas demonstrated consistent improvement in her game, making her a formidable player on the field.
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2023 Club Player of the Year and All-Club teams. Stay tuned for more updates on the Club Awards.Ultiworld Announces 2023 Club Player of the Year and All-Club Teams
November 7, 2023 by Jenna Weiner, Kelsey Hayden, and Graham Gerhart
Ultiworld is excited to reveal the winners of our annual Club Awards, starting with the Club Player of the Year in each division. These awards recognize the top performers in the Club division, taking into account both regular season and postseason performance. The Club Awards are voted on by Ultiworld reporters, contributors, and editors.
The All-Club teams highlight the top players in the division. The First Team consists of the top seven players, while the Second Team includes the next seven players who had outstanding seasons. The voting process for the All-Club teams is ordered, meaning that the top vote-getters for All-Club honors are also the top contenders for the Player of the Year award.
The 2023 Women’s All-Club First Team includes Claire Trop from Washington DC Scandal, who was named the Player of the Year. Trop had an exceptional season, finishing as the only player at Club Nationals to achieve a triple double in her statline. Despite playing through injury and fatigue, Trop led Scandal to the final, a feat the team hadn’t accomplished in a decade. Trop is widely regarded as the best player in the world right now.
Valeria Cardenas from Denver Molly Brown was named the First Runner-up for Player of the Year. Cardenas showcased her exceptional throwing skills and defensive presence throughout the season. She co-led Molly Brown in recorded blocks at Nationals, solidifying her place as one of the best players in the game.
Kami Groom from Washington DC Scandal was named the Second Runner-up for Player of the Year. Groom’s dominance in the club women’s division is unmatched. She displayed incredible goal-scoring ability, defensive pressure, and speed throughout the season. Groom’s performance at Nationals was outstanding, with 16 goals, seven assists, and 10 blocks.
Angela Zhu from Boston Brute Squad also earned a spot on the All-Club First Team. Zhu’s impact on the team was game-defining, especially during the postseason when some of Boston’s top players were absent. She led her team in blocks in both the regular season and at Nationals, showcasing her ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
Levke Walczak from Boston Brute Squad rounded out the All-Club First Team. Walczak made a name for herself with a standout performance at World Games 2022 for Team Germany. She continued to impress with her versatility and adaptability on Brute Squad. Walczak’s ability to excel in various aspects of the game makes her a formidable player.
Kaela Helton from San Diego Flipside was also recognized for her outstanding performance and earned a spot on the All-Club First Team.
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2023 Club Awards! Stay tuned for more updates on the Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Breakout Player of the Year, Coach(es) of the Year, and more.
Source: Ultiworld