April 13, 2006
Texas A&M?â„¢s Morenike Atunrase was named the Most Valuable Player while newcomer Lenka Zimova was presented with the Miss Aggie award during the women?â„¢s basketball team banquet Thursday night at The Zone Club at Kyle Field.
Atunrase, from Shreveport, La., earned All-Big 12 First Team honors as she led the Aggies in points, blocks, and steals. Atunrase broke her own record as she blocked a school single season record 58 shots. She now ranks third at A&M in career blocks with 115.
Zimova, from Partizanske, Slovakia, received the team?â„¢s most coveted award Miss Aggie. Associate Head Coach Vic Schaefer presented the award and described Zimova?â„¢s exceptional personality, and work ethic while noting that in just nine months on campus she had become a true Aggie.
Erica Roy was named the Miss Defense for a second straight season while A?â„¢Quonesia Franklin was named Miss Hustle.
The Miss Offense award went to freshman Takia Starks who set a school record for points by a freshman with 382. She shared the Newcomer of the Year award with Danielle Gant who led the team in rebounding while ranking second in the nation in field goal shooting percentage by a freshman.
Gant was also named the team?â„¢s 6th Man.
The team?â„¢s award for Most Improved went to freshman La Toya Micheaux.
Junior Jennifer Wilks and sophomore Katy Pounds were honored for being named to the Academic All-Big 12 Team.
Seniors Tamea Scales and Roy spoke to the audience and reflected on their time on the team.
Earlier, coach Gary Blair received a standing ovation for being named the National Coach of the Year by Women?â„¢s Basketball News Service. A&M Athletic Department Chief of Staff Penny King made the presentation.
Later Blair honored a pair of dedicated supporters, Tommy and Carolyn Lohman, with the team's fans of the year award.
The evening wrapped with a video that highlighted the team?â„¢s accomplishments during the season.
The banquet celebrated the team?â„¢s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996 and its third place finish in the Big 12 Conference.