June 26, 2008

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. - The Gulf South Conference presented the University of West Florida the Women's All-Sports Trophy during Thursday's GSC banquet commencing the GSC meetings this week at Pensacola Beach. The Argos earned its third consecutive Gulf South Conference (GSC) Women's All-Sports Trophy, and fourth in five years. It was the women's sixth all-time award, and that is now the conference's best by any school. The Argos were tied with Jacksonville State, whom dominated the GSC in the early 1990's and had five all-sports trophies from 1987 thru 1995.

West Florida took home the award in convincing fashion, tallying 67.5 points, to outdistance Arkansas Tech by 11.5, and Harding by 13.5 points. The Argonauts turned in a consistent effort this season, with all women's sports contributing at least four points, based on finish in the standings and conference tournaments. Six of the Argos women's teams earned berth's in the NCAA tournament this past year.

The West Florida women captured the GSC Golf title, and had runner up finishes in Volleyball, Soccer, and Tennis. The Argos also had a third place finish from the Cross Country team. Golf won their third straight conference title, while Volleyball set several UWF records, and finished the GSC regular season with a 12-0 conference record. Meanwhile, soccer demonstrated a defense highly ranked in the NCAA, which went over 900 minutes without allowing a goal, and came up just short in the GSC championship match, after going unbeaten in conference play.

Softball finished in third place in the GSC East Division, and earned a top 25 ranking heading into the postseason. Tennis finished runner-ups in the GSC tournament, dropping a 5-4 thrilling match to #3 Valdosta State, but then went on to capture the NCAA regional championship, to earn a trip to the National championships. In all, volleyball, soccer, cross country, softball, golf, and tennis were all selected to play in the NCAA tournament, during the 2007-2008 academic year. With six women sports earning trips to the NCAA tournament, that was three more than second best in the entire conference.

The UWF women have been honored with five All-American selections this season, with Volleyball's Luciana Rapach, along with Dernelle Mascall and Courtney Jones for Soccer during the fall sports. Tennis star, Suzana Cavalcante, earned All-American status for both singles and doubles, as she teamed up with Paola Arevalo as a doubles All-American team.

Volleyball set a team record for wins with 32 this past year, while Women's Soccer put together an impressive record of 12 shutouts during a 14 match stretch. The Women's Cross Country team finished in the top 10 for Division II Cross Country team GPA's. Women's basketball lead all GSC winter sports with nine Academic Honor Roll selections. Softball was ranked in the top 25, and earned a berth in the NCAA Regional tournament, while Women's Golf captured the GSC title, and Women's tennis made it to the elite eight at the NCAA championships before falling to the number one team in the nation. In all, a tremendous year, both on the playing field and academically for the Argos.