April 30, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Junior Marine Piriou was chosen as the 2002 Big Ten Player of the Year as announced today by the conference office. Piriou helped lead the Wildcats to their fourth straight Big Ten Championship title.
Piriou is the second Wildcat to earn conference Player of the Year accolades, as Katherine Nasser was honored in 1998. Piriou played at No. 1 singles all season, compiling a 28-14 overall record, while going 9-1 in Big Ten matches.
In addition, The Conference office announced its All-Big Ten team members. Senior Lia Jackson, sophomore Jessica Rush and Piriou were all named to the All-Big Ten team for 2002. This is Jackson's second honor and first for both Rush and Piriou.
The complete list of All-Big Ten honors follows:
2002 All-Big Ten Team
Jennifer McGaffigan, Illinois
Toni Neykova, Iowa
Michelle DaCosta, Michigan
Valerie Vladea, Minnesota
Lia Jackson, Northwestern
Marine Piriou, Northwestern
Jessica Rush, Northwestern
Monica Rincon, Ohio State
Gretchen Haynor, Purdue
Melissa Iqbal, Purdue
Linde Mues, Wisconsin
Vanessa Rauh, Wisconsin
Player of the Year
Marine Piriou, Northwestern
Freshman of the Year
Inga Radel, Indiana
Sportsmanship Award
Amanda Field, Indiana
Coach of the Year
Patti Henderson