Selenski Honored as National Rookie of the Year

Story Links

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia field hockey player Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.) was named the 2008 National Rookie of the Year Monday by womensfieldhockey.com. Selenski was selected as a first-team All-American while teammate Inge Kaars Sijpesteijn (Wassenaar, Netherlands) was named to the second team. Additionally, Selenski and Michelle Vittese (Woodbury, N.J.) were named to the all-rookie squad.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) also announced its All-Americans on Monday, with Selenski selected to the second team and Kaars Sijpesteijn to the third team.

Selenski, the first Cavalier in program history to be named the national rookie of the year, was the 2008 ACC Freshman of the Year after leading Virginia in scoring with 19 goals and nine assists for 47 points. Her 101 shots and six game-winning goals also were a team-best. She was a first-team all-south region honoree.

Selenski is the third Virginia freshman to be named an All-American during her first season, following Meridith Thorpe and Michelle Vizzuso, who both received the honor in 1995.

Kaars Sijpesteijn, a senior captain, is receiving her third All-America honor and additionally was a three-time all-region and all-ACC performer for the Cavaliers. She recorded nine goals and six assists for 24 points in 2008. She was also second with 72 shots and had two game-winning goals. She is just the third Virginia player to reach All-America status at least three times. Both Thorpe and Vizzuso were four-time honoreers.

Vittese, a second-team all-region honoree, tallied six goals and six assists for 18 points during her rookie campaign.

Virginia has had at least one member named to the all-rookie squad during Madison’s tenure. Traci Ragukas was selected in 2006 and Shelly Edmonds in 2007.

The Cavaliers concluded the 2008 campaign with a 14-9 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.