LADY MOCS ADD SIX NEWCOMERS FOR 2008-09

Head coach Jarrod Olson is adding six newcomers - four freshmen and two Division I transfers - to his team's roster for 2008-09.

The freshmen are Danielle Walsh, a 5-8 guard from New Smyrna Beach High School; Megan Dzikas, a 5-9 guard from Manatee High School; Michaela Hawley, 6-0 forward from Barron Collier High School in Naples; and Kirstin McIntyre, a 6-1 forward from John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction, New York.  Walsh signed during last fall's early signing period and went on to average 16.4 points per game for New Smyrna Beach.  Dzikas finished her career as Manatee High School's career scoring leader with 1,539 points.  Hawley, a second-team all-state selection, helped lead Barron Collier to the 5A state championship, averaging 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.  McIntyre averaged 15.8 points for John Jay's 14-7 team.

Transferring to Florida Southern are Kristin McComas, a 5-8 guard from Weber State, and Patrice McKenzie, a 6-0 forward from Florida Gulf Coast.  Both played in reserve roles at their respective schools this past season.  McComas graduated from Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, Wis.  McKenzie is from Dunedin, New Zealand, and graduated from Otago Girls High School.  She played one season at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College before going to Florida Gulf Coast.

"I think all of these young women will be excellent representatives for our school, as well as our team,"  Olson said.

The six newcomers will join seven returners from last season's 15-13 squad, led by team scoring leader and Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year Chelsea Johnson and Second-Team All-SSC selection Emer Foley.  

JOHNSON EARNS DAKTRONICS ALL-REGION HONORS

The Moccasins' Chelsea Johnson is a first-team selection on the Daktronics All-South Region Team.  Voting for the team was done by sports information directors in the South Region.  First-team all-region selections will appear on the ballot for the Daktronics All-America Team that will be announced Mar. 25. 

As a freshman, Johnson led the Moccasins in scoring with an 18.6 average.  She set the FSC single-season record for three-point field goals made with 78.  She led the Sunshine State Conference in that category, as well as free throw percentage (88.1).  She was second in the SSC in scoring and second in three-point field goal percentage (41.3).  The Moccasins were 15-13 and Johnson was a first-team All-SSC selection, as well as being the SSC Freshman of the Year.  Johnson's 520 points were the most by a Mocs player in a season since Lucresia West scored 547 points in the 2003-04 season.

JOHNSON, BYRD AND FOLEY NAMED TO ALL-SSC TEAM

Three newcomers who made a significant impact on the Lady Mocs' winning season are members of the All-Sunshine State Conference Women's Team announced Thursday.  Chelsea Johnson, who led the team in scoring, is the SSC Women's Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-SSC selection.  Kquanise Byrd, who averaged in double figures coming off the bench, joins Johnson on the SSC Women's All-Freshman Team.  Emer Foley, the team's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, is a second-team All-SSC selection.

Johnson's recognition as Freshman of the Year marks the second straight season FSC has had the recipient.  Nicolle DiRaimo captured the award last season.  Johnson is the sixth Moccasin to earn the freshman award, following DiRaimo, Lucresia West in 2002, Allison Gerdeman in 1993, Angie Robinson in 1991 and Stacey Kreul in 1988.

Receiving the other major SSC awards are Women's Player of the Year Stephanie Sarosi of Nova Southeastern, Women's Defensive Player of the Year Sheena Walton of Tampa and Women's Coach of the Year Marilyn Rule of Nova Southeastern. 

Joining Johnson, Sarosi and Walton on the All-SSC first-team are Rollins' Jennifer Musgrove and Eckerd's Olivia Nagle.  Joining Johnson and Byrd on the All-Freshman Team are Ashley Lutz of Eckerd, Lynisha Nelson of Florida Tech and Abbie Tepe of Nova Southeastern.  Sharing second-team honors with Foley are Princess Bailey of Barry, Melissa Guerero of Saint Leo and Jade Williams and Rachel Brockman of Lynn.