Inside TSU 2015 | Page 46

SPORTS TSU Softball Crowned Division and Conference Champions The Lady Tiger’s softball team had a phenomenal season, capturing the SWAC Championship along with their 4th consecutive Western Division title. It was their first championship title since 2000. The Lady Tigers finished the regular season 15-2 in conference play and 31-20 overall. They went through the SWAC Championship tournament without a loss. They beat Alcorn State (102), Prairie View A&M twice (11-4 & 5-2) and Mississippi Valley (6-3) for the title. The Lady Tigers earned an automatic bid to the NCAA regional tournament in Lafayette, Louisiana where they faced sixth ranked University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Mississippi State. TSU lost both games, 7-4 & 5-3, but they played well and represented Texas Southern and the SWAC with class. Nine TSU Lady Tigers were named to the All-SWAC Team. Thomasina Garza, Monica Castillo and Sammantha Jimenez were firstteam All-SWAC performers. Brianna Parker, Haley Smith, Princess Daniels, Krystalani Yockman, Chelsea Guenther and Jeniece Tillman were named to the All-SWAC second team. Yockman was also Co-Freshman of the Year. Garza was named tournament MVP while Madison Staton made the AllTournament team. “This is truly a great feeling, and I’m extremely proud of this group of young ladies,” said TSU head coach Worley Barker on winning the SWAC regular season and tournament championship. Lady Tigers Volleyball Prove Best in the West In three short seasons, TSU Women’s Volleyball head coach Jocelyn Adams got the Lady Tigers back into winning form. TSU finished the 2013 season as the SWAC Western Division Champions with a 7-1 conference record and a 16-12 overall record. This was the Lady Tigers best finish since 2001 when they tied for the division title. Several players were recognized for their outstanding play. Robyn Shannon was named to the All-SWAC First Team while Veronica Azubuike and Mona Reed received All-SWAC Second Team honors. Kali Fluke was named SWAC Freshman of the Year. Fluke and Azubuike made the Alltournament Team TSU Women’s Indoor Track and Field Has Stellar Finish Nine medalist and 14 scorers took the Texas Southern Lady Tigers indoor track and field team to a height they have not seen in more than a decade. TSU finished 2nd in the 2014 SWAC Indoor Track and Field Championships held in Birmingham, AL. The Lady Tigers captured 5 silver and 4 bronze medals during the twoday competition. Silver medal winners were Karina Foster in the weight throw, Melissa Pena in the pole vault, Terralyn Johnson in the triple jump and Whitney McDonald in the 400 meter dash. Bronze medal winners were Trisha Williams in the triple jump, Jeressa Mathis in the 60 meter hurdles and Tierra McGowan in the 800 meter dash. The Lady Tigers 4x400 meter relay team of Tiffany Heard, Adriana Berkhalter, Tierra McGowan and Whitney McDonald finished second with a time of 3:46.67. The women’s Distance Medley team of Laura Naranjo, Tiffany Heard, Tierra McGowan and Kelsey Phillips, finished third with a time of 12:36.89. Multi-medal winners were: McDonald who captured two silver medals, Heard who won a silver and bronze and McGowan who brought home two bronze medals. 46 | SPRING 2015 InsideOneTSU Magazine.indd 46 4/6/15 5:44 AM