ITTA BENA -- It was announced Monday that Mississippi Valley State's Ashley Beals has been named Freshman of the Year.

The Canton, Miss. native currently ranks second on the team in scoring (10.1) and first in rebounds (6.2) in her first year at Valley after a standout career at Canton High School. She posted a season-high 22 points at Memphis on Dec. 18 and has a team-high four double-doubles this season. Beals has scored in double figures in 11 of 18 games against conference opponents.

Beals hopes to lead the Devilettes to a SWAC Tournament title starting Thursday at 10 a.m. when MVSU faces rival Jackson State at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.