Michigan State University Athletics
Women's Basketball Holds Annual Awards Banquet Tuesday
3/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball celebrated the 2014-15 season at its annual banquet on Tuesday night on the main floor of the Breslin Center.
On a festive night, the Spartans honored seniors Kelsey Kuipers, Kendra Lumpkin, Becca Mills, Anna Morrissey and Madison Williams.
Sophomore forward Aerial Powers highlighted the night's honors by earning the team's Player of the Year award for the second-straight season as part of taking home two awards Tuesday. In addition to the Player of Year, she also received the Best Rebounder Award for the second-straight season. She became the first Spartan to be named First-Team All-Big Ten her first-two seasons. Powers had a record-setting season, breaking the MSU single-season record for points (678) and rebounds (375). She also became just the second Michigan State women's basketball player to average over 20 points per game, averaging 21.9 as a sophomore. She broke a 40 year-old record as Linda Stoick, averaged 20.4 during the 1975 season. She also led the team in rebounding averaging 12.1 rpg, the second-most in school history.
Sophomore Tori Jankoska was the recipient of the Defensive Player of the Year Award. She also earned her second-straight Playmaker Award. Jankoska has had a stellar sophomore campaign, second on the team in points (17.5) and steals (1.4), while also leading the team in three-pointers (2.2), three-point field goal percentage (36.8%) and assists (5.0). Her 68 three-pointers are tied for fifth on the MSU single-season list. She scored 524 points this season, which is fourth on the single-season scoring list. Jankoska earned All-Big Ten honors for the second-straight season after being named to the second team.
Senior guard Anna Morrissey was named the Most Improved Player. Morrissey, a former walk-on, was one of only four Spartans to play in all 31 games this season. She is fourth on the team averaging 29.1 minutes per game. Against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament, she had a career-high seven rebounds and six assists.
Junior guard Cara Miller earned the Spartan Hustle Award. The hard-working Miller played in 30 games this season, starting 11. She averaged 3.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game, averaging 21.5 minutes per game. For the third-straight season, Miller was also the Spartan Scholar-Athlete Award winner. Miller has posted a 3.95 grade-point average, while majoring in accounting.
Rounding out the team awards, senior forward Becca Mills received the Pat Canning Coaches Award and senior forward Kelsey Kuipers took home the Kim Archer Character Award. Matt Ayres earned the Manager of the Year Award.
Representing our terrific fan base, Nanette and Kevin Casida were named the Most Valuable Supporters, along with Dr. Beth Alexander also receiving the Most Valuable Supporter Award, while Austin and Gerritt Garcia were the MVP Ball Club Most Spectacular Members.
The awards were presented after the dinner, which were then followed by the 2014-15 highlight video.
2014-15 Award Winners: Player of the Year: Aerial Powers
Defensive Player of the Year: Tori Jankoska
Most Improved Player: Anna Morrissey
Spartan Hustle: Cara Miller
Best Rebounder Award: Aerial Powers
Playmaker Award: Tori Jankoska
Spartan Scholar-Athlete Award: Cara Miller
Pat Canning Coaches Award: Becca Mills
Kim Archer Character Award: Kelsey Kuipers
Manager of the Year: Matt Ayres
Most Valuable Supporters: Dr. Beth Alexander, Nanette and Kevin Casida
MVP Ball Club Most Spectacular Member: Austin and Gerrit Garcia
