ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Maddie O’Reilly (Jr., Villanova, Pa./Episcopal Academy) added to her list of awards by topping fellow finalists Amy Dilk (Basketball), Abby Heiskell (Gymnastics), Paige Jones (Volleyball) and Alex Storako (Softball) for recognition as the 2020 University of Michigan Women’s Breakthrough Athlete of the Year.
Following freshmen (21 goals-seven assists-28 points-3 field blocks in 27 games) and sophomore (16 goals-16 assists-32 points-0 field blocks in 29 games) seasons in which she racked up 37 goals, 23 assists, 60 points and three field blocks while helping the Maize & Blue capture back-to-back Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championships for a pair of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship berths, O’Reilly came into her own during the 2020 campaign.
In a season shortened by COVID-19, #20 on the Wolverines’ roster made 2020 her own by recording 36 goals, 34 assists, 70 points and eight field blocks in 19 games to top her previous combined collegiate numbers and lead Michigan in goals, assists and points. Pacing towards a 100+ point season as she was on pace to post 53 goals, 50 assists, 103 points and 12 field blocks in a simulated 28 game season, she is the second women’s water polo athlete to claim “Breakout Athlete” status following former teammate Julia Sellers ’19 who notched notice in 2018.
The award follows several honors for O’Reilly who was previously named a National Strength Coaches Association (NSCA) All-America selection, earned a pair of CWPA Player of the Week nods (January 28, March 3) to accompany Academic All-Big Ten and U-M Academic Achievement Award recognition in 2020.
