April 7, 2006
The University of Iowa women’s basketball team and over 200 guests celebrated its 2005-06 season Friday night at its annual banquet.
The Hawkeyes reflected on their season and announced team awards. Senior Crystal Smith earned the Coaches Award, which is emblematic of the Most Valuable Player, and was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year. Smith, who was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, became the first Hawkeye to earn the defensive award three-straight seasons.
In addition to her Big Ten recognition, Smith was honored for being a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American.
Statistical leader plaques were given to Krista VandeVenter, Megan Skouby, Wendy Ausdemore and Smith. For the second-straight year, VandeVenter was honored as Iowa’s leading rebounder (8.2). Skouby registered the team’s best field goal percentage (.551), which ranked 25th nationally. Ausdemore was honored for recording the best free throw percentage (.950), while Smith posted the most assists (98). A plaque was also given to graduating senior manager Chris Fitzgerald.
Iowa’s three student-athletes selected to all-Big Ten teams were also recognized. Smith was named to the first team by both the media and coaches, while Skouby was a second team pick by the media and a third team selection by the coaches. VandeVenter was an honorable mention selection by the media. Smith was also named to the all-defensive team, joining Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport as the only two student-athletes to be consensus all-Big Ten first team honorees and named to the all-defensive team.
Four Hawkeyes, Jeneé Graham, Morgan Kasperek, Reedy and VandeVenter, earned academic all-Big Ten recognition. This year marked the third time Kasperek and Reedy received academic all-conference laurels.
Iowa finished fifth in the Big Ten with a 10-6 record and a 17-12 overall mark and competed its 16th NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes ranked tenth nationally in free throw percentage (.760), 15th in assists (16.76), 16th in field goal percentage (.456) and fewest fouls (14.55) and 24th in scoring (72.3). Iowa’s free throw percentage ranks as the second-highest average in school history.