June 2, 2011

TEMPE – The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) announced its annual academic awards with eight members of the Arizona State University water polo team being selected as Academic All-MPSF honorees this season, the second-most in program history behind the nine Sun Devils that earned the distinction in 2006. Overall, four women earned their first selection to the academic list while the remaining four were honored for the either the second or third time in their respective careers.

Leading the way for ASU was Nikki Unbehaun, who was selected for the academic honor for the third year in a row after earning the distinction as a sophomore (2009), junior (2010) and senior (2011). Joining her as a multiple-time selection were Candice Phillippe, Mariam Salloum and Kelsey White, all who earned their second selection after being honored last year. The four women to earn their first selections this year include Annabelle Carter, Shannon Haas, Sarah Harris and Amanda Young.

Since joining the league in time to compete in the 2004 season, the Sun Devil program has placed 26 different players on the Academic All-MPSF lists with 10 of those players earning a place on the list three times each in their careers with 16 Sun Devils earning two or more in their careers. Each year, the Sun Devils have placed at least five individuals on the academic lists and collected a total of 53 academic honors.

To earn Academic All-MPSF honors, a player must be at least a sophomore academically, completed one full academic year at her current institution, competed in 50-percent or more of the team’s competitions during the season and carry a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) or higher.

2011 Academic All-MPSF Honorees for Arizona State
Annabelle Carter, Shannon Haas, Sarah Harris, Candice Phillippe, Mariam Salloum, Nikki Unbehaun, Kelsey White, Amanda Young

ASU’s All-Time Academic All-MPSF Honorees
2011 (8): Annabelle Carter, Shannon Haas, Sarah Harris, Candice Phillippe, Mariam Salloum, Nikki Unbehaun, Kelsey White, Amanda Young
2010 (7): Dana Harvey, Bonnie Miles, Candice Phillippe, Mariam Salloum, Kari Walsh, Kelsey White, Nikki Unbehaun
2009 (5): Jennifer Campo, Addison McGrath, Bonnie Miles, Nikki Unbehaun, Kari Walsh
2008 (5): Katy Lawlor, Addison McGrath, Bonnie Miles, Caylinn Wallace, Kari Walsh
2007 (7): Ashley Bower, Kim Buck, Addision McGrath, Katie Hedley, Katy Lawlor, Caylinn Wallace, Lindsay Williams
2006 (9): Elaine Bentley, Adriane Mota, Tessa Wyborny, Katie Hedley, Ashley Bower, Kim Buck, Katy Lawlor, Raelyn Ritchie, Caylinn Wallace
2005 (6): Elaine Bentley, Ashley Bower, Katie Hedley, Adriane Mota, Holly Newman, Tessa Wyborny
2004 (6): Elaine Bentley, Lauren Jacobson, Adriane Mota, Holly Newman, Heather Rempfer, Tessa Wyborny