April 25, 2010
President's Cup Release | President's Cup Photogallery
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Maryland women's basketball team held its annual end-of-year awards and honors banquet on Sunday night at the Marriott at Greenbelt, where family members, boosters and Terrapin supporters gathered to pay tribute to the 2009-10 team.
Brenda Frese, Maryland's eighth-year head coach, distributed the awards while Matt Noble, well-known radio host for the Terrapin Sports Radio Network, served as master of ceremonies. Several items such as autographed jerseys and photos were also auctioned off.
Team Most Valuable Player was given to senior Lori Bjork who scored Maryland's first points of the 2009-2010 season, netting a three-pointer in the Terps home opener in November, her debut at Comcast Center. Always in the gym, she never stopped working on her shot and her hard work paid off.
In just one season with the Terps, Bjork made 85 three-pointers ranking her 2nd in the all-time Maryland senior record books. She was second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in three pointers made and in three-point percentage. Bjork led the Terps in points nine times, assists four times, and in steals on seven occasions. She tallied double-figures in 22 games, and a season-high 22 points against Virginia Tech to score a total of 382 points for the Terps this season.
Bjork was named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American second team in 2007 and 2010 and was named to the ACC All-Academic team this year. She was also an All-ACC Honorable Mention.
Freshmen Diandra Tchatchouang and Tianna Hawkins were given the team's Rookie of the Year Award. Tchatchouang started every single game for the Terps and led all ACC freshmen in scoring and was second on the team in points, averaging 11.5 per game. She also finished the season ranking third in blocks in the Maryland freshmen record books with 44, was named to the ACC All Freshman team and was ACC Rookie of the Week three times. Hawkins was also named ACC Rookie of the week and led the conference in rebounding with 7.6 boards per contest. Her 256 rebounds rank top-5 in the Maryland freshman record book and she also ties for fourth in blocks with 33.
Senior Emery Wallace was the recipient of the Terp Award. Although Wallace was unable to play due to knee injuries, she didn't let it get her down and blossomed into a new role as a vocal and motivational leader for her teammates. She will probably be most remembered for her enthusiasm and leadership role from the bench.
Other awards included most improved which was awarded to redshirt freshman Jackie Nared. Sophomore Lynetta Kizer was named "Best Energy" for her efforts in communication and leadership on the court in games and in practice. Team manager Karess Taylor-Hughes was awarded for outstanding service.
Six student-athletes were awarded for academics, sophomore Kim Rodgers, sophomore Yemi Oyefuwa, Wallace, Bjork, Hawkins and Tchatchouang. Bjork, Tchatchouang and Hawkins were all named to the ACC All-Academic team last month.
Earlier in the day the M Club and Terrapin Club hosted the 2010 President's Cup Awards Brunch at the Riggs Alumni Center. Bjork garnered several acknowledgements including the Charles H. Beebe Jr., award for the letterwinner with the highest career GPA. She also earned an academic achievement award as a senior on the women's basketball team with the highest cumulative GPA. Wallace was recognized for her outstanding community service with an ACC Community Service award.
