May 1, 2001

MILWAUKEE-Sophomore Jessica Wilhite was named Most Valuable Player of the 2000-01 Panthers this past weekend at the UWM women's basketball annual team banquet.

Wilhite led the team with 15.5 ppg and was named the MCC Tounament MVP after scoring a tournament record-tying 62 points in three games. Also named to the All-MCC first team, she set a tournament-record with 36 points in the MCC Championship game over UW-Green Bay.

The end-of-the-season awards were handed out by MCC Coach of the Year Sandy Botham and were given to the following individuals:

Most Inspirational: Becca Buer Best Defensive Player: Antoinette Gregory Best Rebounder: Maria Viall Best Free Throw Shooter: Nicole Luchsinger Team Academic Janelle Jonason Most Improved: Elizabeth Fletcher Most Valuable Player: Jessica Wilhite

The coaching staff and players also bid farewell to its three senior captains: Teri Stoltenberg, Nicole Luchsinger, and Janelle Jonason.

The Panthers are coming off the 2001 season with a share of its first ever MCC regular-season title, first ever MCC Championship, and first ever bid into the NCAA Tournament. Milwaukee ended its dream season on March 17th as it lost to No. 3 Duke, 96-63, in the first round in Durham, N.C.