Marquette University Athletics
Women's Basketball Hands Out Awards
5/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MILWAUKEE ? The Marquette University women's basketball team honored its own at a banquet on Sunday, May 2. Seven awards were presented at the banquet. Winners were chosen by a vote of the coaches and team members.
Senior Crystal Weaver was the first to receive an honor, winning the Leadership Award. Weaver was chosen by her teammates as the player who best exemplifies the skills of a leader. She was a vocal player both in practice and in games, continually charging her teammates to be the best they could be.
Freshman Christina Quaye was awarded the Tenacity Award. She was given the honor based on her toughness and drive to improve her game. Quaye continued to improve as the season developed, finishing the year with a 9.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game average. In addition, Quaye hit the game-winning basket against Old Dominion in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Freshman Jasmine McCullough was named the winner of the Outstanding Teammate Award. McCullough was chosen for her abilities on the court in addition to her manner off the court. She had the ability to make situations easier with her jovial personality. Often times, McCullough's perfectly timed one-liners would break up a tense practice situation.
Senior Katie O'Grady was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player. O'Grady, a offensive threat out of high school, worked for four seasons to become the team's best defender. O'Grady's 36 steals on the season do not define her ability to change an opposing point guard's method of attack.
Senior Kelly Schwerman and sophomore Carolyn Kieger were named Co-Offensive MVPs. Schwerman led the team in scoring with 12.0 points per game and set a school record for free throw percentage. Kieger was second on the team in scoring with 10.5, but was amongst the Conference USA and national leaders in assists per game at 5.9.
Schwerman, Weaver and O'Grady were named Co-Most Valuable Performers. It marked the third time in team history that multiple MVPs were named. It was the first time that three team members split the vote and the award.
A new award was presented at the banquet. The Charles "Gordie" Baker Exceptional Fan Award was presented posthumously to Mr. Baker. An avid Marquette women's basketball supporter, Mr. Baker passed late last month. His memory will live on with this award, of which he is the first winner.
