AROSA, Switzerland – University of Vermont sophomore Sammy Kolowrat was named Most Outstanding Defenseman on Sunday at the conclusion of the Group C Olympic Qualifying round-robin tournament. Kolowrat represented her home country, the Czech Republic, during the three-game stretch.
 
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"This is a great honor for Sammy and I'm so proud of how much she's improved in the last two years at UVM," said Vermont head coach Jim Plumer. "She personifies the kind of focus and work ethic that we stress in our program. I know it's disappointing that her team didn't qualify for the Olympics, but they are young and will have another shot in four years."

The Czechs skated to a pair of wins over Norway (Feb. 9, 5-0) and Denmark (Feb. 11, 4-3) before falling to Switzerland on Sunday (Feb. 12) by a 4-1 score. Kolowrat notched a goal in the second period of the Denmark victory, with Denisa Krížová of Northeastern University being credited the secondary assist.
 
Kolowrat was one of three goalies, seven defensemen and 11 forwards representing the Czech Republic. In total, the Prague native was one of four Hockey East players selected. Krížová, along with Maine's Vendula Pribylová and Tereza Vanišová, also helped compose the squad.
 
Following Sunday's result, Switzerland secured a spot at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
 
Kolowrat has laced up in 29 games for Vermont this season and registered a goal in addition to two assists. With 23 points in the standings, the Catamounts (12-11-9, 8-7-7 WHEA) currently share fourth place in Hockey East with Providence and close out the regular season this weekend with a series against Merrimack at Gutterson Fieldhouse. The pair begins Friday evening (Feb. 17) with a 7 p.m. contest.
 
The Windjammer Restaurant and Upper Deck Pub is the presenting sponsor of the 2016-17 women's hockey season