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April 6, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia honored its players at the 23rd Annual Women’s Basketball Awards Banquet on Thursday evening at Bryant Hall.
Earning the team’s coveted Cavalier of the Year award was senior Tiffany Sardin (Chicago, Ill.). The 6-1 forward was also presented the Best Offensive Player Award. The three-time team captain also shared the Leadership Award and was recognized for leading the team in rebounding (6.8 rpg).
Sophomore point guard Sharneé Zoll (Marlboro, N.J.) earned the Best Defensive Player Award. The team captain shared the Leadership Award with Sardin. After dishing out a sophomore record 201 assists, the All-ACC honoree was recognized for leading the team in assists for the second straight season. For her efforts, Zoll was awarded the Alumni Scholarship for next season as the Cavalier who best exemplifies the spirit and dedication that make Virginia women’s basketball successful.
Freshman Lyndra Littles (Washington, D.C.) earned Rookie of the Year honors. The 6-1 ACC Honorable Mention All-Freshman honoree saw action in every game and grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game.
Juniors Tara McKnight (Bluffton, S.C.) and Siedah Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) were named the squads’s Unsung Heroes. A 5-5 walk-on guard, McKnight also earned the MVP in Practice Award. A team captain, Williams was also presented the Thomas J. Ryan Memorial Scholarship for next season as a hard-working player committed to success. The team’s leading scorer, Williams shot a team-best 77.2 percent from the line to earn the Highest Free Throw Percentage Award.
Junior Brenna McGuire (Winchester, Mass.) earned the Pre-Season Conditioning Award. The 5-11 guard, who paced UVa with 44 three-point buckets, was also presented the Bob Williams Award for outstanding athletic and academic performances.
The team’s Most Improved Player Award went to sophomore Denesha Kenion (Oxon, Md.). The 5-9 guard provided the Cavaliers with a huge spark off the bench.
Receiving the Coach’s Award for outstanding contributions to the team were Suzy Blakely (housekeeping), Kim Bowles (housekeeping), Elizabeth Brinkmann (marketing & promotions), Michelle Ely (basketball administrative assistant), Carol Gutman (Dean), Matt Marlow (head team manager), Naomi Perkins (business operations), Lisa Welch (assistant ticket manager), and Barbara Yowell (business operations).
2006 VIRGINIA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AWARDS
| Cavalier of the Year: | Tiffany Sardin |
| Best Offensive Player: | Tiffany Sardin |
| Best Defensive Player: | Sharneé Zoll |
| Rookie of the Year: | Lyndra Littles |
| Most Improved Player: | Denesha Kenion |
| Leadership Awards: | Tiffany Sardin, Sharneé Zoll |
| Unsung Hero: | Tara McKnight, Siedah Williams |
| Preseason Conditioning: | Brenna McGuire |
| MVP in Practice: | Tara McKnight |
| Highest Free Throw Pct.: | Siedah Williams |
| Rebounding Award: | Tiffany Sardin |
| Most Assists: | Sharneé Zoll |
| Coach’s Awards: | Suzy Blakely Kim Bowles Elizabeth Brinkmann Michelle Ely Carol Gutman Matt Marlow Naomi Perkins Lisa Welch Barbara Yowell |
| Bob Williams Award: | Brenna McGuire |
| Alumni Scholarship: | Sharneé Zoll |
| Thomas J. Ryan Scholarship: | Siedah Williams |