New York, N.Y. (AHN) - Add another chapter to the rich history of University of Nebraska athletics.

Nebraska's junior volleyball star Sarah Pavan was awarded the Honda-Broderick Cup as the nation's female college athlete of the year at a Monday morning ceremony at Low Library at Columbia University in New York City.

Pavan led the Cornhuskers to the NCAA Division I title, although she was also recognized for her outstanding athletic achievement, team contributions, scholastics and community involvement. Pavan is the university's first student-athlete to win the award in its 31-year history and follows up some legendary women's sports figures.

"I was so surprised to find out that I had won the Honda-Broderick Cup," Pavan told huskers.com. "Growing up, I watched [past winners] Mia Hamm and Rebecca Lobo and to be grouped with them is amazing! These are huge names in women's athletics, and I'm humbled to be in the same category. I always work extremely hard, but my coaches and my teammates have also helped make me the best I can be.

Pavan, a 6-foot-5 right side hitter, powered the Cornhuskers to a 33-1 record last year and a No. 1 NCAA ranking it held for the entire season. She garnered 2006 NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player and 2006 AVCA National Player of the Year honors, as well.

In 115 games during the 2006 championship run, Pavan averaged 5.10 kills per game and a .313 attack percentage while totaling 586 total kills.

Pavan sports a 4.0 GPA in biochemistry and loves the challenge of excelling in everything she does.

"I'm a perfectionist, and I expect nothing but the best in everything I do, both in volleyball and in school. I learned at a really young age how to prioritize my time," Pavan told huskies.com. "I'm also very interested in biochemistry, so it comes easier to me than to most people."

Kylee Hanavan, a Metropolitan State University soccer player, captured the Division II award, while tennis player DePauw University's Liz Bondi was honored with the Division III prize.

The Rutgers women's basketball team took home the Irv Grossman Award of Merit, a nice honor for how the team handled its adversity with radio host Don Imus. The Scarlet Knights reached the NCAA championship game before losing to Tennessee and responded with class to the shock-jock's controversial on-air comments.