April 20, 2007
The University of Iowa women’s basketball team held its annual banquet Friday night.
The Hawkeyes reflected on their season and announced team awards. Sophomore Nicole VanderPol earned the Coaches Award, which is emblematic of the player who represents the team on-and-off the court in a positive manner and demonstrates a tremendous work ethic. Sophomore Wendy Ausdemore was honored with the Most Improved Player Award.
Statistical leader plaques were given to VanderPol, Ausdemore, Jenee Graham and Kristi Smith. Graham was honored as Iowa’s leading rebounder (234). VanderPol registered the team’s top field goal percentage (.491). Ausdemore was honored for recording the best free throw percentage (.902), which is a single-season school record. Smith posted the most assists (124). A plaque was also given to graduating senior manager Lindsey Cosper.
Iowa’s three student-athletes selected all-Big Ten were also honored. Smith was named to the third team by both the media and coaches, while Ausdemore was a third team pick by the coaches and an honorable mention selection by the media. Skouby, who saw limited action the last month of the season after suffering an injury, was an honorable mention selection by both the media and coaches. Ausdemore was also the Iowa women’s basketball nominee for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Three Hawkeyes, Ausdemore, Graham and Krista VandeVenter earned academic all-Big Ten recognition. This year marked the second time Graham and VandeVenter received academic all-conference laurels.
Ausdemore also received her certificate for being named to the District VII Academic All-America second team. She was the only sophomore in District VII recognized on either the first or second team.
Iowa finished tied for eighth in the Big Ten with a 6-10 record and a 14-16 overall mark. The Hawkeyes ranked second nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (.402), fifth in free throw percentage (.788) and 23rd in assists (16.0). Iowa, as a team or individually, broke or tied 12 school/arena records in 2006-07, including single-season records in 3-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage. Additionally, the Hawkeyes’ free throw percentage is a Big Ten single-season record.