Women's Basketball Award Winners Named

Big Rapids, Mich. - Junior forward Tiara Adams has been honored as the Ferris State University women's basketball team's 2009-10 Most Valuable Player Award recipient.

The squad's 2009-10 team award winners were honored Sunday (April 25) during the team's annual postseason banquet held at the Wheeler Pavilion on the FSU campus in Big Rapids.

A second team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) North Division honoree this season, Adams started all 27 games and ranked as the Bulldogs' leading rebounder (8.3 rpg.) and second-leading scorer (10.0 ppg.).  The 5-9 Adams led the conference in offensive rebounds (3.3 pg.) while finishing third overall in the rebounding category.  She also claimed GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team accolades along with Grand Rapids Press West Michigan College Honorable Mention laurels after posting 15 double-figure scoring efforts and seven double-double (points & rebounds) performances this campaign.

The team's Most Improved Player Award was handed to freshman forward/center Katy Fox, who appeared in all 27 games and ranked third on the team in field goal percentage (.463).  Fox scored a season-high 11 points versus Tiffin (Dec. 5).  She averaged 3.3 points along with 1.7 rebounds per game while playing 345 total minutes in her rookie campaign at FSU.

Fox also shared FSU's Rookie of the Year honor with fellow freshman Kylie Muntz.  The 5-8 guard played in all 27 games and was fourth on the squad in three-pointers made (15).  Her biggest shot of the season came against Saginaw Valley State (Jan. 9) when she drilled a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer during the "Basketball Bonanza".  Muntz netted three points per contest while playing 15 minutes a game this year.

Sophomore guard Kelsey DeNoyelles claimed the team's Defensive Stopper Award.  She picked up GLIAC All-Academic Team recognition and started all 27 games in her second season with the Bulldogs.  DeNoyelles had 15 double-figure scoring games, including a personal career-high 17 points in two of the final three outings.  She also ranked second on the team in assists (2.1 apg.).

The Sixth Player Award went to junior forward Amy Joostberns, who also earned GLIAC All-Academic Team status and made 16 starts this season.  She tallied four double-figure scoring performances and had a team-high 15 blocked shots.

Finally, the squad's Hardest Worker Award was given to sophomore guard Tricia Principe, who finished as the team's leading scorer (11.6 ppg.) and second-leading rebounder (5.2 rpg.) this campaign.  Principe led both the GLIAC and the nation in free throw percentage (92.5%) while setting a school single-season percentage figure.  The GLIAC All-Academic Team and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV Third Team honoree had 18 double-figure scoring efforts and connected on a school-record 44 consecutive free throws this season.

The Ferris State women's basketball team concluded the 2009-10 season with an 8-19 overall record under 12th-year head coach Tracey Dorow.  The Bulldogs were 7-15 in GLIAC action and won their final two regular-season contests.  The squad's lone senior, center Andrea Clancy, missed the entire campaign with an injury and is expected to return next year.