April 26, 2000
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - One day after being drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the
WNBA draft, Tauja Catchings was named the University of Illinois Team MVP
for the 1999-2000 season. Catchings received the honor at the annual
post-season banquet sponsored by the Courtsiders at the Radisson Hotel in
Champaign.
The honor was just the icing on the cake for one of the most successful
careers in Illinois team history. Catchings finishes her career in the top ten in
school history in games played (first, 122) assists (fourth, 342), steals
(second, 211), blocks (sixth, 74), points (seventh, 1502), rebounds (third,
825), free throws (third, 371), and field goals (fifth, 564). She is the
only Illini in history with 1,400 points, 700 rebounds, 300 assists and 200
steals. Known for her defensive prowess, she guarded and neutralized some of the best
perimeter players in the country.
Catchings was named to the All-Big Ten First Team after earning second
team honors each of the past two seasons. She was a finalist for the
Naismith Award, an honorable mention All-American, and was one of 17 seniors
invited to participate in the WBCA All-Star Game. She was just the third
player to earn multiple Big Ten Player of the Week honors from Illinois,
joining Ashley Berggren and Jonelle Polk.
"Tauja Catchings came to floor every day and gave everything she had,"
said Head Coach Theresa Grentz. "Each year we came to her with a different
role. She accepted it and raised her game to a new level each time. Because
of that I know she'll be successful in the pros."
Dave Chestnut, President of the Courtsiders, presented senior Kylie
Martin with the Lillian Speck Award for her outstanding leadership, while
Carol Keiser, Chair of Alumni Association Board, presented Allison Curtin
with the Ralph Woods Free Throw Excellence Award (.821).
The Illini said good-bye to four seniors, Martin, Susan Blauser,
Catchings, and Melissa Parker. Parker, Catchings and Blauser were recognized
for serving as team captains. Parker finishes her career with 135
three-point shots, the third most in Illinois history. Blauser scored 1,032
points in her two seasons at Illinois and earned First Team All-Big Ten
honors in 1999 and second-team distinction this season. Like Catchings,
Blauser was a Pre-season Naismith candidate and was invited to the WBCA
All-Star Game.
Martin had her best games against some of the best teams in the country,
scoring 13 of her game-high 21 points in the first half at No. 1
Connecticut, and shutting down Ruth Riley while scoring 16 points vs. Notre
Dame. Martin and Parker were each named Academic All-Big Ten as well.
Eleven players earned varsity letters - Suzanne Curtin, Kristi Faulkner,
Karen Hagberg, and Shavonna Hunter (first year), Susan Blauser, Kylie
Martin, Allison Curtin, Dawn Vana, and Holly Wilson (second year), and Tauja
Catchings and Melissa Parker (fourth year).
Illinois Women's Basketball Most Valuable Players
2000 Tauja Catchings
1999 Susan Blauser
1998 Ashley Berggren
1997 Ashley Berggren
1996 Ashley Berggren
1995 Kris Dupps
1994 Mandy Cunningham
1993 Jill Estey
1992 Mandy Cunningham
1991 Sarah Sharp
1990 Sarah Sharp
Lillian Speck Courtsiders Award
2000 Kylie Martin
1999 Melissa Parker
1998 Kelly Bond
1997 Krista Reinking
1996 Nicole Vasey
1995 Aimee Smith
1994 Kris Dupps
1993 Tonya Booker
1992 Monica Cundiff
1991 Kate Riley
1990 Jill Estey
1989 Dee Dee Deeken
1988 Lesley Hudgins
1987 Jonelle Polk
1986 Jonelle Polk
1985 Jenny Johnson
Ralph Woods Free Throw Award
2000 Allison Curtin (.821)
1999 Allison Curtin (.826)
1998 Krista Reinking (.746)
1997 Melissa Parker (.860)
1996 Ashley Berggren (.814)
1995 Cindi Hanna (.803)
1994 Tonya Booker (.862)
1993 Tonya Booker (.806)
1992 Mandy Cunningham (.835)
1991 Vicki Klingler (.839)
1990 Jill Estey (.815)
1989 Dee Dee Deeken (.843)
1988 Jenny Johnson (.800)
1987 Dee Dee Deeken (.780)
1986 Carrie Henderson (.794)
1985 Jenny Johnson (.814)
1984 Liz White (.821)
1983 Kendra Gantt (.838)
1982 Lisa Robinson (.850)
1981 Lisa Robinson (.888)
