The Cincinnati Enquirer

Xavier freshman Tara Boothe was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year at a commissioner's reception in Newport, R.I., where four Musketeers won seven honors.

Boothe, who also garnered all-rookie and A-10 third-team honors, won the league's rookie-of-the-week award a record 11 times this season, including the last nine weeks straight. The Highlands graduate is sixth in A-10 scoring (16 points a game) and sixth in rebounding (8.1 per game).

"I don't want to say I totally expected it, but I figured I might get it," Boothe said. "So I was trying to prepare my speech on the bus on the way to the banquet."

Boothe's senior teammates, guards Reetta Piipari and Amy Waugh, were named to the conference's first team. Freshman guard Kristy Wallner earned all-rookie honors.

First Team: Jennifer Butler, Massachusetts, Sr.; Beth Friday, Duquesne, Sr.; Cathy Joens, George Washington, Sr.; Reetta Piipari, Xavier, Sr.; Amy Waugh, Xavier, Sr.

Second Team: Mobolaji Akiode, Fordham, Sr.; Kate Flavin, Richmond, So.; Ugo Oha, George Washington, Jr.; Stacey Smalls, Temple, Sr.; Ebony Tanner, Richmond, Sr.

Third Team: Tara Boothe, Xavier, Fr.; Candace Futrell, Duquesne, Jr.; Amber Goppert, Richmond, Jr.; Irina Krasnoshiok, Saint Joseph's, Jr.; Stefanie Miller, Dayton, Jr.

Rookie Team: Tara Boothe, Xavier; Candice Dupree, Temple; Araceli Gil, Richmond; Davineia Payne, La Salle; Kristy Wallner, Xavier.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Cathy Joens, George Washington

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Tara Boothe, Xavier

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jennifer Butler, Massachusetts;

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Moboblaji Akiode, Fordham;

SIXTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Valerie Williams, George Washington; COACH OF THE YEAR: Cindy Griffin, Saint Joseph's.