March 3, 2003

(San Francisco) - Joy Hollingsworth (Seattle, WA) capped an outstanding first season at USF when she was named West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year as announced by the league office today. Junior forward Carey Sauer (Newport, WA) was named to the All-WCC First Team for the second consecutive season.

On the season, Hollingsworth averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds 1.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game. During WCC play, Hollingsworth was even better, averaging 12.8 points and 6.2 rebounds and ranked among league leaders in scoring (eighth), rebounds (seventh), field goal percentage (eighth), steals (eighth) and 3-point field goal percentage (sixth). Hollingsworth served notice early, scoring a team-high 18 points against #6 Stanford (11/24/02), connecting on 5-of-6 from 3-point range in her third collegiate contest. During the season, Hollingsworth reached double-figure scoring 18 times and poured in a career-high 26 points at San Diego (2/22/03).

Sauer enjoyed a career year for San Francisco, earning first team All-WCC honors for the second time, averaging 15.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and became the 15th player to reach 1,000 career points, finishing the regular season in 13th place on the scoring charts with 1,092. Sauer ranks fifth among NCAA Division I leaders in free throw percentage, converting on .903 (102-113) and is the leading 3-point shooter in the WCC, connecting on .453 (48-106) from beyond the arc. This season, Sauer reached double-digit scoring in 25 contests, including a career-high 32 points at Portland (1/18/03). Sauer eclipsed 20 points six times. Sauer ranked among league leaders in scoring (third), free throw percentage (first), 3-point field goal percentage (first) and 3-point field goals (fifth). An exceptional student, Sauer was selected to the 2003 Verizon District VIII First Team All-Academic, posting a 3.872 GPA in Mathematics.

Hollingsworth becomes the second consecutive USF player to earn freshman of the year accolades, following backcourt mate Toni Russell. Hollingsworth is the fifth Lady Don tabbed as the WCC's top freshman, following Russell (2002), Lindsey Huff (1998), Brittany Lindhe (1995) and Joy Boyenga (1989).

Sauer becomes the eight USF player named to multiple All-WCC first team squads and the first since Lindhe earned a league record four straight selections (1994-97, 1999).