ITTA BENA -- Tuesday was a night to remember for many Mississippi Valley State student-athletes. Nearly 500 students, fans and alumni poured into the Harrison HPER Athletic Complex for the annual MVSU Athletics Banquet, as student-athletes from all 18 sports were recognized for their efforts on and off the court.

Jerome Blake, the voice of the MVSU baskeball program, served as master of ceremony for the event while Bianca Vigliante, of the MVSU women's soccer team, delivered the invocation. MVSU President Dr. Donna Oliver spoke to the crowd about the importance of athletics and congratulated them for their athletic and academic achievements. MVSU Interim Director of Athletics Donald Ray Sims also addressed the crowd.

After each team recognized its respective awardees, the school's overall awards were announced. Joyce Chumo and Chylla Nault, who both hold 4.0 GPAs, shared the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year trophy while Daniel Kibet won the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Meanwhile, Alicia Lorenz, who has helped lead the Devilettes softball team to a 16-0 SWAC record, was voted by the school's head coaches as the Female Athlete of the Year. Paul Crosby, who was named an Honorable Mention All-American, was named the MVSU Male Athlete of the Year.

MVSU baseball pitcher Cody Parker took home the Michael Archie Inspiration Award, which is given out to a student-athlete who has withstood adversity during their time at MVSU. The award is named after former MVSU basketball standout Michael Archie, who was paralyzed following an event off campus. Parker came to Valley to serve as a manager, but will leave as one of the accomplished players in school history.

Medals were also awarded to graduating student-athletes.

Soccer
Most Valuable Player: Josee Primeau
Defensive Player of the Year: Bianca Vigliante
Offensive Player of the Year: Shanesse Spratt
Freshman of the Year: Maureen Papaconstantinou
Coach's Award: Cassandra Russo
Team GPA Award: Kayla Boyd
 
Cheerleading
Cheerleader of the Year – Alexandria Webb
Most Dedicated Cheerleader – Jasmine Patterson
Most Spirited Cheerleader – Whitney Linzy
Most Improved Cheerleader – Sierra Bates
Team GPA Award – Jasmine Patterson
 
Men’s Tennis
Newcomer of the Year – Reginald Holmes
Team GPA Award – Chartese Jones
Most Valuable Player – Reginald Holmes
 
Women’s Tennis
Newcomer of the Year – Zoraya Kentch
Team GPA Award – Charity White
Most Valuable Player – Tiffany Rose
 
Volleyball
MVP – Brychana Williams
Libero of the Year – Jane Peterson
Setter of the Year – April Brown
Most Improved – Chylla Nault and Mika Krienke
Freshman of the Year – Emily Hnatiw
Team GPA Award – Chylla Nault
 
Women’s Basketball
MVP – De’Kisha Fondon
Best Offense – Alia Frank
Best Defense – Ka’Neisha Smith
Most Improved – Lenise Stallings and Khristina Clemons
Coaches Award – Brittney Lakes
Newcomer of the Year – Davina Jefferson
Team GPA Award – De’Kisha Fondon
  
Baseball
Most Improved – Candler Thomas
Defensive MVP – Ed Cheatham
Pitching MVP – Cody Parker
Ragamuffin Perseverance Award – Mark Kaplan
Ragamuffin Perseverance Award – Cam Harold
Team GPA Award – Nikolas Fangonilo
 
Men’s Basketball
MVP – Paul Crosby
Best Defensive Player – Brent Arrington
Most Improved – Cor-J Cox
Sportsmanship Award – Luka Pajkovic
Orlando Smith Sacrifice & No Excuse Award – Kevin Burwell
Orlando Smith Sacrifice & No Excuse Award – Amos Studivant
Courage/Inspiration Award – Falando Jones
Team GPA Award – Jason Holmes
Against All Odds Award – William Pugh
Against All Odds Award – Terrance Joyner
 
Women’s Bowling
MVP – Cares Bailey
Newcomer of the Year – Xiomara Perez
Team GPA Award – Alexandria Robertson
 
Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country
Indoor Track & Field MVP – Daniel Kibet
Cross Country MVP – Daniel Kibet
Rookie of the Year – Jose Serrano
Rookie of the Year – Jatarius Harris
Team GPA Award – Daniel Kibet
Most Improved – David Pulliam
Most Improved – David White
 
Women ‘s Track & Field/Cross Country
Indoor Track & Field MVP – Joyce Chumo
MVP – Joyce Chumo
Most Improved – Queona Willimas
Iron Woman/Coaches Award – Denai Greene
Most Versatile – Tambriya Barney
Team GPA Award – Joyce Chumo

Football
Offensive MVP – Paul Cox
Defensive MVP – Desmond Spivey
Special Teams MVP – Jeremy Johnson
Academic Excellence Award – Ratheal Bateaste
Captain Award – Carlos Sanchez
JSU Offensive Player of the Game – Marvin Pittman
JSU Defensive Player of the Game – Leployer Franklin
 
Men’s Golf
MVP – David Brauhn
Most Improved – Martavious Ross
Team GPA Award – David Brauhn
 
Women’s Golf
MVP – Breeona Fields
Most Improved – Ashley Taylor
Team GPA Award – April Brown
 
Softball
Most Valuable Player – Alicia Lorenz
Most Valuable Pitcher – Alicia Lorenz
Freshman of the Year – Xiomara Perez
Offensive Player of the Year – Kishti Kamaka
Defensive Player of the Year – Jessika Sandoval
Iron Woman Award – Alexandria Sullivan
Devilettes Energy and Pride Award – Trenicea Cameron
Team GPA Award – Brianna Holmes
 
Special Awards
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year – Joyce Chumo and Chylla Nault
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year – Daniel Kibet
Michael Archie Inspiration Award – Cody Parker
Male Athlete of the Year – Paul Crosby
Female Athlete of the Year – Alicia Lorenz