Phillips receives R.I.A.I.A.W. Distinguished Student-Athlete Award
NEWPORT, R.I. - Senior Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J.) was the 2011 Rhode Island Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (R.I.A.I.A.W.) Distinguished Student-Athlete from Salve Regina University.
The 2010-11 Female Athlete of the Year at Salve Regina, Phillips was a The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) First Team selection in both tennis and basketball. In the fall, Phillips garnered First Team - Singles honors for the third-consecutive season after posting an 8-1 mark at No. 1 singles and was also tabbed a First Team - Doubles selection after notching a 9-1 record.
On the court, Phillips ranked third in scoring (17.0 ppg), fourth in blocked shots (1.7 bpg), fifth in steals (2.7 spg), and eighth in rebounding (8.4 rpg) to lead the Seahawks to a 25-4 record. A two-time All-TCCC First Team selection (2009-10, 2010-11), Phillips helped the Seahawks post a perfect 13-0 conference record and advance to their sixth NCAA Tournament with wins over Curry, Regis (Mass.), and University of New England in the championship playoffs For her efforts, she was named TCCC Player of the Year.
Phillips - who was also named to the D3hoops.com Women's All-Northeast Region Second Team and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) 2010-11 Division III Women's Basketball New England Second Team - finished her career No. 2 all-time in scoring at Salve Regina with 1,498 points. She is also the school's all-time leader in field goals (578) and ranks fourth in blocked shots (146) and steals (279), and seventh in rebounds (688).
"Erin's athletic career at Salve Regina represents hard work, team work, and a great deal of success," said Salve Regina women's tennis coach Ed Habershaw, who coached Phillips for three seasons. "Her positive impact on the tennis program will be felt for many years to come. We now expect to attract students that share Erin's talent as well as passion for playing."
The Distinguished Student-Athlete Award is presented to one female athlete from each of the state's nine collegiate institutions. The criteria for the R.I.A.I.A.W. Distinguished Athlete of the Year Award has three key components. The honoree must possess leadership qualities. She must stand as a role model to others, displaying such coveted assets as perseverance, commitment, ethical behavior and academic success. She must enjoy an above average degree of physical talent. Last year, Sarah Jakiela received this award for Salve Regina.
"Erin is a tremendous athlete, a gifted basketball player, and a fine young woman," said SRU head women's basketball coach Corinne Hughes. "I am so proud of all her accomplishments over her four years at Salve Regina, and cannot think of a more deserving recipient of the R.I.A.I.A.W.'s Distinguished Athlete Award.
Other recipients of this award for the 2010-11 academic year include: Brynn Smith (Brown), Sherika Nicholas (Bryant), Melody Lawrence (CCRI), Catherine Bravo (Johnson & Wales), Alyse Ruff (Providence), Kayla DiBlasi (Rhode Island College), Rebekah Dion (Roger Williams), and Crystal Bourque (URI).
