March 10, 2008
LAS VEGAS - UNLV women's basketball player Sequoia Holmes became the fifth different player in school history to be named to the Mountain West All-Conference First Team, while Shamela Hampton was a third-team selection, as the league announced its postseason awards on Monday. It is the third all-conference award for Holmes in her career, while Hampton was named third team for the second-straight season.
Holmes, a 6-1 junior guard/forward and Las Vegas native, has led the MWC in scoring for the entire season, and was ranked in the top 10 in the nation for the first two months. She finished the regular season third in the league in both rebounding with 7.3 per game and steals with 2.24 per game, and is also 14th in assists with 2.52 per contest. Holmes, who is 22 points away from reaching the 1,500 career point mark, is also the MWC's all-time career steals leader with 258.
Hampton, a 6-3 junior center from Colorado Springs, Colo., earned her second league recognition by finishing the regular season at 12.0 ppg for the second straight season, which ranks her 13th in the MWC. She was also eighth in rebounding with 6.7 per game, and seventh in field goal percentage at 46.6%. Her 0.93 blocks per game was also 10th best in the conference, while her five double-doubles on the season tied for third-highest this season.
Leilani Mitchell of Utah won both the Player and Newcomer of the Year awards. TCU's Helena Sverrisdottir of TCU was named Freshman of the Year, while Hanna Zavecz of Wyoming was selected as Defensive Player of the Year. Coach of the Year honors went to Elaine Elliott, who guided Utah to a perfect 16-0 conference record and regular-season MWC title.
The All-MWC First Team was made up of Holmes, Mitchell, Zavecz, Morgan Warburton of Utah and Dionne Marsh of New Mexico. On the second team was Kalee Whipple (Utah), Jene Morris (San Diego State), Adrianne Ross (TCU), Mallary Carling (BYU) and Justyna Podziemska (Wyoming). The third team was comprised of Hampton, Lorie Butler-Rayford (TCU), Alecia Steele (Air Force), Brandi Kimble (New Mexico), Aubrey Vandiver (Wyoming) and Amy Beggin (New Mexico).
The Lady Rebels finished the regular season at 8-21 and finished tied for seventh with a 4-12 record in league play. UNLV, the eighth seed in the 2008 MWC Tournament, will open against ninth-seeded Colorado State in the first round on Tuesday at 6 pm in the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
2007-08 Mountain West Women's Basketball All-Conference Teams
First TeamSequoia Holmes, UNLVLeilani Mitchell, UtahMorgan Warburton, UtahHanna Zavecz, WyomingDionne Marsh, New Mexico
Second TeamKalee Whipple, UtahJene Morris, San Diego StateAdrianne Ross, TCUMallary Carling, BYUJustyna Podziemska, Wyoming
Third TeamShamela Hampton, UNLVLorie Butler-Rayford, TCUAlecia Steele, Air ForceBrandi Kimble, New MexicoAubrey Vandiver, WyomingAmy Beggin, New Mexico
Coach of the YearElaine Elliott, Utah
Player of the YearLeilani Mitchell, Utah
Newcomer of the YearLeilani Mitchell, Utah
Freshman of the YearHelena Sverrisdottir, TCU
Defensive Player of the YearHanna Zavecz, Wyoming
