Holt Named Big South's Coach of the Year

Roanoke, Va. - Radford University's interim head coach Kristen Holt was named 2002 Big South Basketball Coach of the Year announced at the conference banquet Tuesday evening. Also taking home hardware for the Highlanders were sophomore forward Amanda Neby (Plymouth, Minn.) who earned All-Conference first team honors, while junior guard Kylie Williamson (Ankeny, Iowa) was named to the All-Academic team.

Holt, who took on the role of head coach in August, has guided the Highlanders to an 11-15 overall record and an 8-6 in the Big South. After suffering their worst finish in school history last season, RU finished third in the conference after being picked to last in the preseason poll.

Neby led the Highlanders in scoring, rebounding, field goal and free throw percentage. She also was ranked in the top ten in several conference categories. Williamson was honored for her efforts both in the classroom and on the court. She ahs maintained a 3.9 GPA in criminal justice/forensic option, while helping RU as their third leading scorer and top three-point shooter. She also ranks first in three-point field goals and is sixth in percentage.

Elon sophomore guard Holly Andrews was named Player of the Year, while Liberty rookie forward Crystal Tharp was named Rookie of the Year. Senior guard Charlotta Wennefors represented Winthrop as the Scholar Athlete of the Year.

The other members of the first team were UNC Asheville's Jessica Guarneri, Liberty's Meribeth Feenstra, Andrews and Coastal Carolina's Nikki Reddick. Second team members were High Point's Misty Brockman, Mary Brewer and Narelle Henry, Elon's Jayme Chikos, Charleston Southern's and Cesurian Champagne.

Radford begins tournament play on Wednesday when they face Winthrop University at 9:00 p.m. at the Roanoke Civic Center.