April 10, 2010
2009-10 Lady Lion Basketball Banquet Photo Gallery
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - The Penn State women's basketball team held its annual postseason banquet today at the Nittany Lion Inn and honored both players and supporters of the program for their dedication and commitment during the season.
Tyra Grant (Youngstown, Ohio) took home the Joanie O'Brien Award for the Lady Lions' Most Outstanding Player for the second-straight season, while senior forward Meredith Monroe (Olney, Md.) claimed the Jeanette Goss Courage Award. Senior Meggan Quinn (Red Lion, Pa.) and redshirt freshman Mia Nickson (Ashburn, Va.) shared the Tom Caldwell "Unsung Hero" Award and senior guard Nicole Arcidiacono (Langhorne, Pa.) garnered the Robin Lombard Award in of those qualities that exemplify the true spirit of Lady Lion basketball. For the third-straight year post player Janessa Wolff (Park Rapids, Minn.) earned the Academic Achievement Award, while freshmen post players Marisa Wolfe (Ford City, Pa.) and Nikki Greene (Diboll, Texas) split the Most Improved Player Award. Sophomore guard Renee Womack (Lansdale, Pa.) claimed the inaugural Collegiate Pride Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Mimi Barash Coppersmith was recognized for her outstanding service to Lady Lion basketball with the Hank Gambocurta Award. The Kent Petersen Student Fan of the Year Award was presented to Lauren Razawich, a four-year member of The Other Lady Lions (TOLL), while Washington's Whoopsters Austin Peck and Krista Musar, both of State College, garnered the Ruth Ingram Award in recognition of a Lady Lion Basketball fan for outstanding enthusiasm and support.
Grant, a first team All-Big Ten honoree and Associated Press All-American, joined an elite group as she became the fourth player in school history to reach 2,000 points. She finished her career third in program history with 2,044 points. Grant finished second in the Big Ten and was 18th nationally with a 19.3 scoring average this season. Grant also ranked in the Top 15 in the conference in free throw percentage (11th/.789), steals (7th/1.84), three-pointers made (11th/1.58) and minutes played (11th/33.74). The 597 points she scored in her senior season are the sixth-most in program history. Grant broke the Penn State single-season record for free throws made (176) and attempted (223). She completed her career in the Top 10 in school history in field goals made (687), field goal attempts (1,755), free throws made (491), free throws attempted (661), points (2,044), three-point field goals made (179), three-point field goals attempted (531), scoring average (16.8) and minutes played (3,842).
Monroe became a consistent contributor for the Lady Lions and had a career year in the process. The senior was third on the team and 19th in the Big Ten in rebounding at a 5.4 per game clip. She also accounted for a career-high 4.9 points per outing to go along with personal-bests of 20 assists, 19 blocks and 19 steals. Monroe notched her first career double-double with 14 point and 13 rebounds in a win over nationally-ranked Pittsburgh. She added another double-double with 12 tallies and 12 caroms in the regular-season finale at Indiana on Feb. 28. Monroe is a two-time Most Improved Player selection.
After injuring her left knee at the end of her junior season, Quinn made the decision to move into the role of student assistant coach for her season year. The senior was a team tri-captain and could be seen instructing the Lady Lions from the bench and during practice. She finished her career averaging 2.1 points per game and with an .818 free throw percentage. Quinn was previously honored with the Jeanette Goss Award last season, the Tom Caldwell "Unsung Hero" Award winner in 2007-08 and the Robin Lombard Award in 2006-07.
Nickson had to redshirt during the 2009-10 season after transferring from Boston College. She consistently pushed her teammates during practice in her role on the scout team and was a vocal leader on the bench during home games. Nickson will be eligible to start her Penn State career in 2010-11.
Arcidiacono appeared in six games with a pair of starts to her credit. She scored two points and pulled in four rebounds on the season, but she is best known in her role as the consummate team player. The senior regularly worked with the male practice players on the scout team to prepare the Lady Lions for upcoming games. Arcidiacono has also won the Robin Lombard Award in 2007-08 and the Tom Caldwell "Unsung Hero" Award in 2008-09.
Wolff claims her third consecutive Academic Achievement Award after earning Dean's List honors during the fall semester and Academic All-Big Ten accolades for the second year in a row. On the court, she accounted for 4.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game. The child psychology major is 15th in Lady Lion history with 67 career blocks. She is also 28th in program history with a .484 field goal percentage in three seasons.
Wolfe was a key reserve for the Lady Lions in her rookie season, particularly during Big Ten play. She accounted for 2.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and a team-best .532 field goal percentage in 30 appearances. Wolfe also rejected 11 shots and nabbed 14 steals in her first season in Happy Valley. Wolfe was chosen as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Feb. 22 for her career-best 13-point, six-rebound performance against Michigan. She also had an outstanding performance against Northwestern when she was 5-for-5 from the field en route to 10 tallies.
The only Lady Lion to start every game, Greene gave Penn State a presence in the paint. The rookie was second on the team and 12th in the Big Ten in rebounding with a 6.2 average. She also led the team and was fifth in the league in blocks (1.8) while finishing third on the team in scoring (7.0). Greene is just the second freshman in school history to block 50 or more shots in a season and finished the year with 55 rejections, which is ninth on Penn State's single-season blocks chart. She was selected as the Dec. 14 Big Ten Freshman of the Week after a double-double in wins over Monmouth and nationally-ranked Pittsburgh. She sealed the Pitt game by making 5-of-6 free throws in the final 1:04 of the contest.
Womack was the Lady Lions' top defensive guard, holding some of the Big Ten's top players below their average. She accounted for 2.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 13 appearances before missing the final 16 games with an ACL injury. Womack tallied eight blocks and nine steals before the injury. She is expected to return to her role as defensive stopper next season after having successful knee surgery in February.
The Lady Lions hold several camps throughout the summer. There is a Lady Lion Basketball Camp available for girls of all ages, ranging from shooting camp to elite camp. The 2010 Lady Lion Basketball Camp schedule is as follows: Shooting Camp (June 13-15), Elite Camp (June 20-22), Skills Camp (June 20-23), Total Package Team Camp (June 24-26) and Games Galore Team Camp (August 6-8). For more information on Lady Lion Basketball Camps, please visit psusportscamps.com and click on Lady Lion Basketball Camp.
The Lady Lions are on Twitter. Follow head coach Coquese Washington (@psucoachquese), sports information contact Kris Petersen (@ladylionsid) and the Lady Lions and assistant coaches (@pennstatewbb) to get the inside scoop. The Lady Lions are also on Facebook. Search Lady Lion Basketball and become a fan.
2009-10 Lady Lion Basketball Award Winners
Robin Lombard Award - Nicole Arcidiacono
Academic Achievement Award - Janessa Wolff
Jeanette Goss Courage Award - Meredith Monroe
Joanie O'Brien Award - Tyra Grant
Tom Caldwell Unsung Hero Award - Meggan Quinn and Mia Nickson
Most Improved Player - Marisa Wolfe and Nikki Greene
Collegiate Pride Most Outstanding Defensive Player - Renee Womack
Hank Gambocurta Award - Mimi Barash Coppersmith
Kent Petersen Student Fan of the Year Award - Lauren Razawich
Ruth Ingram Award - Austin Peck and Krista Musar