April 26, 2004
COLONIE, N.Y - After a 17-11 campaign and a fourth-straight MAAC regular-season title, the Siena Women's Basketball Team held its annual banquet Sunday evening at the Desmond Hotel in Colonie, N.Y. to celebrate the successful season. FOX 23 sportsanchor Rich Becker emceed the event that included recognition of the five graduating seniors and award winners.
Sophomore Lauren Surber received the Vicki Aromando Award, which honors the player who blends true excellence in athletics and academics. Surber sports a 3.70 grade point average and started 21 of 28 games, averaging 5.2 points per game.
The Joe Hogan Award, given to the player who best exemplifies true dedication and desire, was given to senior Nathalie Marchino. Marchino made the seamless transition to point guard this past season after spending her first three seasons off the ball. She was one of just two Saints to start all 28 games and posted 127 assists and was third on the team with 10 points per game.
Sophomore Michelle Blot was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year. Despite missing the final four games of the season after tearing her ACL, Blot led the team with 14 blocks and was fourth on the squad with 30 steals. In one of the most memorable individual performances of the season, Blot played tremendous defense on UConn's Diana Taurasi, limiting the three-time All-American to just 13 points in 33 minutes.
Senior Sherron Burgess was named the team's Most Improved Player. The power forward played in all 28 games averaging 3.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in over 16 minutes per game. As a junior, she played just over seven minutes per game and averaged 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest.
Freshman Katelyn Dooley, a member of the MAAC All-Rookie team, was honored with the inaugural Sixth Player Award. Dooley appeared in 27 games as a freshman averaging 7.5 points per game while garnering MAAC Rookie of the Week honors three times.
The 2004 Most Valuable Player honors went to senior standout Jolene Johnston. Johnston was named to the MAAC First Team and MAAC Tournament Team after averaging 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Renowned for her selfless team-first playing style, Johnston appeared in all 121 games during her stellar four-year career, equaling Gunta Basko's school record.
The banquet ended with recognition of the 2004 graduating class of Burgess, Shimrit Gigi, Liene Jansone, Johnston and Marchino.
