April 13, 2008

MILWAUKEE - The championship season for the Marquette women's basketball team came to a close Sunday afternoon as the team held its annual end-of-the-season senior celebration at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. Over 150 family members, friends, supporters and administrators gathered to celebrate the Golden Eagles' Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) championship and the career of senior Svetlana Kovalenko.

"We overcame so much adversity this season, but we did it as a team. Svetlana was a such a huge reason of what we were able to accomplish this season. She truly epitomizes what the term 'student-athlete' means," said head coach Terri Mitchell. "This is what we are hear to celebrate today, not only a great ending to our season, but also the career of this special woman. One day basketball will end, but at the end of the day it is what you take with it is what really matters."

The Golden Eagles capped their season with a WNIT Championship and a season-high five-game win streak. MU went 21-14 overall and 8-8 in BIG EAST play. The 21 wins mark the third consecutive season the Golden Eagles have won 20 or more games.

Junior Krystal Ellis was tabbed the team's Most Valuable Player as well as its Most Valuable Offensive Player. A two-time First Team All-BIG EAST selection and the WNIT Most Valuable Player, Ellis led the Golden Eagles with 19.4 points per game a mark that ranked second in the league. In BIG EAST play Ellis was sixth with 17.5 ppg. She finished the season with 601 points, the second best total in program history and a junior class record.

Freshman sensation Angel Robinson and sophomore Janelle Harris were both named the Golden Eagles' Most Valuable Defensive Players. Robinson broke the freshman steals record previously held by Ellis swiping 86 for the season and ranked third in the BIG EAST with 2.46 steals per game. Harris was one of two players to start in all 35 games and finished the season with 45 steals and 133 rebounds.

Kovalenko was chosen as the player who most exemplifies the skills of a leader taking home the Leadership Award.

Red-shirt freshman Jocelyn Mellen and freshman Courtney Weibel did not go home empty handed as Mellen was honored with the Tenacity Award and Weibel with the Outstanding Teammate Award for always staying positive, playing hard and doing what was asked of her to improve.

Rounding out the awards was Dr. Karen Jahimiak, a loyal fan and supporter of Marquette Athletics, selected as the Charles "Gordie" Baker Exceptional Fan award.

2007-08 Marquette Women's Basketball Awards
Most Valuable Player - Krystal Ellis
Most Valuable Offensive Player - Krystal Ellis
Most Valuable Defensive Player(s) - Janelle Harris, Angel Robinson
Leadership Award - Svetlana Kovalenko
Tenacity Award - Jocelyn Mellen
Outstanding Teammate Award - Courtney Weibel
Charles "Gordie" Baker Exceptional Fan Award - Dr. Karen Jahimiak