RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada women's basketball team held its annual year-end celebration banquet Monday night the Peppermill Resort Spa and Casino. Staff, players, fans and parents all came together to look back on Nevada's historic season, thank its supporters, give out team awards and say goodbye to the seniors.
The 2010-11 season of the University of Nevada women's basketball made its mark as one of the best teams in the program's history. The team set a record for wins in a season and won the first-ever post-season tournament game and ended the year 22-11, 9-7 in Western Athletic Conference play.
A total of 10 team awards were handed out by the coaching staff to the players, with the top two awards being the Most Valuable Player and the Community Service awards. With no surprise, the MVP award was given to Tahnee Robinson. Robinson ended the season as the ninth-best scorer in the nation and became the Wolf Pack's first-ever WNBA draftee. The Community Service Award went to Megan Cherry who logged more service hours than anyone else on the team for the year.
The STUPH Award (servanthood, thankfulness, unity, passion and humility) is given to the player who most embodies these core values of the program and was awarded to freshman Danika Sharp. Junior transfer Kate Kevorken won both the Academic Award for the top GPA and competitive greatness award for her efforts in filling the fifth starter spot at the end of the season.
The Most Improved Player honor went to junior point guard Amanda Johnson after finishing the season as the WAC assists leader. The Rebounding Excellence honor went to senior Shavon Moore and Free Throw Excellence went to Tahnee Robinson. Both players were also honored as team captains. Moore also won the Defensive MVP and senior Johnna Ward won the Credo Award for her efforts as both a strong performer and inspiring teammate.
Head coach Jane Albright concluded the dinner by honoring the senior class who are ending their careers at Nevada, all on pace to graduate. Tahnee Robinson, Shavon Moore, Johnna Ward, Nicole Williams, Marissa Hammond and Megan Cherry were honored as well as had the chance to thank their coaches and supporters for the opportunities they had being a part of the program.
"These young ladies leave a legacy at the University of Nevada," Albright said. "I have never been more proud of a group of players in all of my years of coaching. They have helped change the culture of women's basketball at the University of Nevada. These players are role models for whom they have become on and off the court."
