Marquette University Athletics
Women's Basketball Hands Out Post-season Awards
4/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Quaye Named Most Valuable Performer
MILWAUKEE ? The Marquette University women's basketball team honored its own at a banquet on Monday, April 25. Seven awards were presented at the banquet. Winners were chosen by a vote of the coaches and team members.
Sophomore Jasmine McCullough won the the Leadership Award. McCullough was chosen by her teammates as the player who best exemplifies the skills of a leader. In her second season, McCullough became one of the most vocal members on the team. While being a verbal leader with her positive encouragement, McCullough also followed her example by being one of the most proficient players in game situations and hardest working in practice.
McCullough was also awarded the Tenacity Award. After moving into a starting role in 2005, McCullough was never complacent, continuing to improve her game and be one of the most reliable players on the team.
"It's a testament to the way that she is," head coach Terri Mitchell said of McCullough's multiple award wins. "She commands the respect of the team. She not only says things but backs it up with her actions."
Senior Monica Frede was named the winner of the Outstanding Teammate Award. The embodiment of a teammate, Frede's constant positive attitude combined with her never-say-die work ethic in practice helped her teammates become the players they are.
"Monica is very proud of the difference she made on the team," Mitchell said. "With her encouragement and hard work, she could inspire her teammates and be a significant contributor to the team, even if not many people saw the contribution she made."
Junior Efueko Osagie was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player. Osagie's defensive efforts were well documented this season. She was consistently ranked in the top 50 in the nation in steals during the season. Her defense often led to fast break points for her or a teammate.
"With her energy and passion on the defensive end, she could change a game," Mitchell said. "She's confident that next season, she can offer the same energy on both sides of the court."
Junior Carolyn Kieger was named the Offensive MVP. Kieger became the 17th player in school history to top the 1,000 point mark and is two assists shy of breaking the 500 assist mark. She will be one of two people in school history to have accomplished both. She was a scorer and a passer this season, second on the team in scoring with 11.8 points per game and was amongst the national leaders with 6.2 assists per contest.
"With the ball in Carolyn's hands, we have a leader on the court," Mitchell said. "She's done some special things in her career. She is an extremely hard worker and she wants to make sure that there is no other point guard in the nation that is working harder than she does."
Sophomore Christina Quaye was named the team's Most Valuable Performer. A second-team All-Conference USA selection, Quaye led the team with 15.7 points per game. With double figure scoring performances in 29-of-30 games in 2004-05, Quaye scored at a rate higher than anyone in the last half-decade.
"I know that Christina is very proud to be voted the Most Outstanding Player by the staff and her teammates," Mitchell said. "She's very humble because she knows it could have been any number of her teammates. She's grounded in that she comes in and does her job and doesn't expect these type of rewards."
The final award of the night, the Charles "Gordie" Baker Exceptional Fan Award was awarded to Harvey Sobocinski, a long time supporter of the Marquette women's basketball program.
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