April 16, 2008

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Junior guard Alyssa Hollins was named the "Most Valuable Tiger" at the women's basketball team's annual awards banquet, held last Saturday at the Holiday Inn Select.

Hollins led the Tigers in scoring -- and was fifth in the Big 12 -- in scoring at 16.8 points per game. She Hollins also took home the "String Music" Free-Throw Award, one of three statistical awards, for leading the team from the line.

The other two statistical awards went to sophomores Jessra Johnson and Toy Richbow. Johnson claimed the "Glass Attacker" Rebounding Award after leading the team and ranking seventh in the league with 7.7 rpg. and Richbow won the "Special Delivery" Assist Award after dishing out a team-high 117 during the season, which also ranked seventh in the conference.

Two other sophomores also took home awards at the banquet. Marissa Scott earned the "Intimidator" Defense Award and Amanda Hanneman claimed the "Fighting Tiger" Hustle Award.

Nicole Wilson, the lone senior on the 2007-08 squad, won the "Heart & Soul" Leadership Award. The award is handed out annually to a student-athlete who is a leader on and off the court, a role model with a great attitude and someone who excels on the court and in the classroom.

Freshman Shakara Jones took home the Field Award, awarded by the strength and conditioning staff, to a student-athlete who shows continued commitment to the strength and conditioning program throughout the year.

Tiger radio play-by-play man David Lile served as Master of Ceremonies at the banquet, which featured several highlight videos of the team's accomplishments, including a March 11 win over No. 11 Oklahoma in the 2008 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship.

2007-08 Sixth Stripe Award Winners

"Glass Attacker" Rebounding Award      Jessra Johnson
"Special Delivery Assist" Award               Toy Richbow
"String Music" Free-Throw Award         Alyssa Hollins
"Intimidator Defense" Award               Marissa Scott
"Fighting Tiger Hustle" Award              Amanda Hanneman
"Heart and Soul Leadership" Award      Nicole Wilson
"Most Valuable Tiger"                         Alyssa Hollins
         ----                                           ----
The Fielding Award                             Shakara Jones