April 27, 2009

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Women's tennis standout Laura Gioia and football All-American William Middleton were named Furman Female and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively, Monday evening at the school's ESPY-style all-sports awards banquet held at Timmons Arena.

Gioia, a senior from Tampa, Fla., took home the school's Edna Hartness Female Athlete of the Year Award for the second consecutive year after posting a 20-4 singles record and sporting an ITA NCAA Division I Top 20 ranking all year. Named 2009 Southern Conference Player-of-the-Year, the four-time all-conference selection headlined a Paladin program that claimed its fourth straight SoCon title during her tenure and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. She recently received the SoCon's Dorothy Hicks Graduate Scholarship and has been accepted to dental school at the University of Florida, where she will begin her post-graduate studies in the fall.

Middleton fashioned a brilliant 2008 season on the football field, earning AFCA and Sports Network All-America honors at cornerback after totaling 95 tackles, five sacks, a team leading four interceptions, and nine pass deflections. A three-year starter, the Atlanta, Ga., native was named Furman MVP for 2008 and on Sunday was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. He graduated in May of 2008 and has also applied to medical school.

Tennis and cross country performer Lauren Tomory of Vincenza, Italy, garnered both the Elizabeth Blackwell Academic Achievement Award and Furman's Student-Athlete Achievement Award, which is presented to the senior athlete who exemplifies the most outstanding qualities of participation, leadership, and service to the community and university. A four-year starter on the tennis team, she tallied a 51-22 career singles record and played a major role in Furman winning four consecutive regular season conference titles and three league tournament crowns over the last four seasons. The four-time SoCon Academic Honor Roll selection and ITA All-American for Academics pick who carries a 3.83 GPA in business administration also starred on Furman's cross country team last fall, twice earning SoCon Runner of the Week accolades. In addition she was very active in community service, volunteering income tax assistance service for low-income members of the community and through Habitat for Humanity.

Furman's Academic Achievement Award went to track & field senior Joseph Tenini from Hammond, La., who sports a 3.95 GPA in math.

Volleyball coach Michelle Young captured Furman's J. Lyles Alley Coach of the Year Award after directing her squad to a 21-14 record, SoCon Tournament championship, and the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament berth last fall.

Furman's women's soccer team received the Gold Paladin Award for the second consecutive season. The award is given annually to the team with the highest combined point total in four categories: team GPA, athletetic success, attendance at other sporting events, and community service.

Individual team most valuable players were recognized and numerous ESPY awards were presented during Monday's event.

Team MVPs

Men's Tennis: Bo Ladyman and Andy Juc

Men's Golf: Daniel Bowden

Men's Soccer: Pat Murray & Coleton Henning

Men's Cross Country: Patrick Morgan

Men's Indoor Track & Field: Patrick Morgan

Men's Outdoor Track & Field: Patrick Morgan

Women's Basketball: Lee Stephens & Melissa Liebschwager

Women's Tennis: Lauren Tomory

Women's Golf: Blair Lamb & Stefanie Kenoyer

Women's Soccer: Kate Myatt

Women's Cross Country: Megan Lordi

Women's Indoor Track & Field: Monique Ositelu

Women's Outdoor Track & Field: Monique Ositelu

Softball: Stephanie Cushing

ESPY Awards

Face Time Award: Melissa Liebschwager (NCAA Women's 3-Point Shooting Champion)

Unsung Hero: Gaines Burnett, Football

Comeback Player From Injury: Larry Hedden, Football

Best Individual Performance: Lee Stephens, Women's Basketball vs. Clemson

Play of the Year: Patrick Murray, Men's Soccer (OT game winner vs. Clemson)

Male Rookie of the Year: Coleton Henning

Female Rookie of the Year: Martha Hall

Record Breaking Performance: Melissa Liebschwager (led nation and broke Furman 3-point shooting percentage record)

Biggest Underdog Victory: Volleyball (three underdog wins en route to SoCon Tournament championship)

Best Game: Football (defeated No. 6 ranked Delaware)

Most Outstanding Team: Volleyball