April 17, 2013

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's redshirt senior Chatilla van Grinsven was named the Ellen Ryan Most Valuable Player and former Hawk standout Angela Zampella `01 was inducted into the SJU Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Tuesday evening at the Hawks' 37th Annual Awards Banquet held at Drexelbrook.

Leading SJU in scoring and rebounding, van Grinsven made a memorable impact in her lone season on Hawk Hill. An A-10 All-Conference First Team selection, the starting forward posted 16 double-doubles this season, and averaged 14.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, becoming just the fifth player in team history to average a double-double for the season. The 10th Hawk to be named to Big 5 Player of the Year, and first since Susan Moran in 2001-02, van Grinsven etched her name in the SJU record books in several categories as her 333 rebounds were third most in a single season, while her 47 blocked shots tied for fourth. A six-time Big 5 Player of the Week, van Grinsven ended the season leading the Hawks in scoring 19 times and rebounding 26 times. Scoring over 1,000 career points combined at Colorado State and SJU, she was also named to the A-10 Championship All-Tournament Team, Hawk Classic All-Tournament Team and Gator Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team. Van Grinsven also earned the Best Offensive Player Award and was co-recipient of the Roosevelt Hunter Community Service Award.

A three-time Big 5 First Team selection, Zampella (1997-01) led the Hawks to three Big 5 titles and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances during her career at SJU. A four-year starter, Zampella made an immediate impact as a rookie in 1997-98, helping the Hawks to a WNIT appearance, while being selected to the All-Big 5 Second Team.

One of just two Hawks to garner Atlantic 10 All-Conference honors every season of her career, Zampella led the Hawks to an A-10 Championship in 1999 and an NCAA Tournament at-large berth in 2000. Saint Joseph's all-time leader in assists (788), she currently ranks sixth all-time in scoring (1,509 points), fifth in steals (216), sixth in three-pointers made (184) and 16th in rebounding (521). A member of the 2000 USA R. William Jones Cup Team that won gold in Taiwan, Zampella still holds the SJU single-season record for assists (241 in 1999-00) and assists in a game (17). Following her SJU career, Zampella continued to play professionally in Italy.

Among others honored at the banquet were senior Shelby Smith (Loyalty and Leadership Award, and Reverend Emory Ross Academic Excellence Award), senior Ashley Prim (Patricia Ryan Unsung Hero Award), senior Mireia Vila (Roosevelt Hunter Community Service Award), junior Erin Shields (Most Improved Player), junior Ilze Gotfrida (Patricia Ryan Unsung Hero Award) and redshirt sophomore Natasha Cloud (Best Defensive Player). The entire 2012-13 Hawks were honored as the Chris DiJulia Inspirational Award winners, while the SJU student-body fans - The Brat Pack - were recognized as Fans of the Year and Sarah Quinn was honored as the SJU Alumni Award winner.