April 25, 2003
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Sun Devil women's basketball team handed out individual awards at ASU's annual season-end banquet last week in the Carson Ballroom at Old Main.
The Sun Devil players, coaches and fans celebrated the 2002-03 season in which the Sun Devils turned in a 16-14 record for their third straight winning season and earned a bid to the 2003 Women's National Invitation Tournament. That invitation marked the first time in school history that a Sun Devil squad has advanced to postseason play in four consecutive years. One of the youngest teams in the country, the Sun Devils had three players selected to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team.
In addition, ASU honored its lone senior, guard Rainy Crisp, who ended her career after playing in 117 games and helping Arizona State to a school-record four consecutive postseason appearances, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament invitations in 2000 and 2001. She was the team's Most Improved Player on ASU's first ever Pac-10 Championship team in 2000 and an integral part of the squad which tied the school record for wins with a 25-9 mark and won the first ever Pac-10 Tournament Championship in 2002.
The Sun Devils return all five starters and a total of 10 letterwinners next season in addition to regaining the services of guard/forward Betsy Boardman and forward Alexis Tate who missed the 2002-03 season with knee injuries. Arizona State will also add a nationally ranked recruiting class next year.
Here is a list of awards earned by the Sun Devils this year:Jen Albert Pac-10 All-Academic First Team (second straight year) Bill & Judy Schaefer Academic Achievement Award Team Captain Award Wells Fargo Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team
Carrie Buckner All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention Pac-10 All-Academic First Team Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Second Team Team Captain Award Team Steals Leader Award
Amy Denson Pac-10 All-Freshman First Team Team Rebounding Leader Award (co-winner) Wells Fargo Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team
Kristen Kovesdy Pac-10 All-Freshman Honorable Mention Team Rebounding Leader Award (co-winner) Team Coach's Award
Kylan Loney Pac-10 All-Academic Honorable Mention Team Captain Award Team Assists Leader Award Wells Fargo Holiday Classic Tournament MVP
Jill Noe Pac-10 All-Freshman First Team Team Scoring Leader Award Pac-10 Player of the Week (Dec. 16) Pac-10 Player of the Week (Jan. 6)
YoVanna Rosenthal Team Most Improved Award