April 12, 2008

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU women's basketball team wrapped up one of the most successful seasons in team history Friday night with the annual team banquet, at which the SMU coaches handed out their team awards.

The Mustangs (24-9) set numerous school records this season, including the most victories in team history, the highest winning percentage (.727) and the first season in SMU history with two winning streaks of at least seven games. They also had their longest road winning streak (five games) in 19 years, ended No. 18 UTEP's 23-game winning streak to win the Conference USA Tournament title and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time.

In addition, several individual awards fell during the 2007-08 season:

Sophomore guard Jillian Samuels staked her claim as one of the premier three-point shooters in SMU history, knocking down an SMU-record 72 shots from long range this season. She also set an SMU record by drilling four three-pointers against Notre Dame, the most ever by a Mustang in an NCAA game.

Senior Sharee Shepherd, who made the Conference USA Tournament's All-Tournament Team, was the first player in the history of the program to be named conference Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Mustangs in blocked shots with 29, and setting a new single-game record for steals (nine, at UAB) and a new season record with 101.

Senior center Janielle Dodds capped off one of the most productive careers in SMU history by leaving her name all over the school record book. She finished her career with numerous SMU records, including free throws made (478), free throws attempted (601), rebounds (974), points (1,861) and double-doubles (38).

Spark Award: Delisha Wills

Rebounding Award: Janielle Dodds

Defensive Award: Sharee Shepherd

Three-point Award: Jillian Samuels

Most Valuable Player: Janielle Dodds

In addition, the team presented head coach Rhonda Rompola with a crystal trophy and a framed jersey with her name and the number 300 on it, commemorating Rompola's 300th career win. Her milestone victory, which came Jan. 13 against Southern Miss in a game televised nationally on ESPN2, broke the tie she shared with former men's coach E.O. "Doc" Hayes and gave her more victories than any basketball coach in SMU history.