March 11, 2004

ATLANTA, GA. - For those who didn't already know, it's now official: Maria Viall is All-America worthy. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball player was one of six regional athletes and 48 women's college basketball players nationwide to be named a Kodak/WBCA All-America Finalist here Wednesday (March 10). Viall, who earned All-District status with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association mention, will now qualify for All-America honors which will be announced on April 3 at the Women's Final Four in New Orleans.

"This is just a great honor for Maria and the program," UWM head coach Sandy Botham said. "She is the first player in our history to earn this honor and it is certainly well deserved. We've known all along that Maria was one of the best players in the country and now everyone knows it. She has been a huge asset to the program, school, and community."

Viall ended her four-year career as the most decorated women's basketball player in school history and one of the best players in the history of the Horizon League. A two-time Horizon League Player of the Year (2002 and 2004), Viall became just one of three players in league history to earn First-Team All-League honors three consecutive seasons. The senior center led the league in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage while earning her second League Player of the Year award.

A four-year starter, the Waukesha native basically rewrote UWM's record book during her tenure. The 6-3 center finished her career holding four different school records. Viall will graduate as the school's all-time leader in points (1,867), blocked shots (167), field goal percentage (54.2%), field goals made (737) and free throws made (390). Viall finished her career third on UWM's rebounding list and third on the Horizon League's all-time scoring chart.

Viall was joined on the Region 6 squad by four Big Ten Conference players and one from the Missouri Valley Conference. Joining Viall on the team were Southwest Missouri State sophomore guard Kari Koch, Big Ten Player of the Year Kelly Mazzante of Penn State, senior Shereka Wright from Purdue, and Minnesota standouts Lindsay Whalen and Janel McCarville.

"This year's finalists are an incredibly talented group of players," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "They are also special because they are being considered for the 30th Anniversary Kodak/WBCA All-America Team. I am excited to see who will be selected as our final ten."

Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as an amateur sport for women and girls. For additional information on the WBCA and to see the full list of 48 finalists, please visit WBCA.org.