June 15, 2004
SPOKANE, Wash. -
Western Washington University volleyball standout Liz Bishop (Sr., Seattle, WA/Mount Rainier) and Humboldt State University basketball star Austin Nichols (Sr., Berkeley, CA) have been selected the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Female and Male Athletes of the Year for the 2003-04 season. The awards are voted on by the athletic directors at the 10 Great Northwest Athletic Conference schools.
Bishop, who last week was named the GNAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, led the Vikings to a perfect 54-0 conference record over the past three years, the fourth longest streak in NCAA Division II history.
Last fall, Western finished 24-2 overall, the best record in school history, and reached the semifinals at the Pacific Regional as Bishop ranked ninth nationally in assists with a 13.54 per game average.
Bishop led the GNAC in assists all three seasons, finishing her career with a GNAC-record 4,176. Her total ranks second in school history. She also ranks ninth on the school career chart in digs with 850.
Bishop, who edged Seattle Pacific University basketball player Valerie Gustafson by one point in the balloting, was a two-time All-American selection earning American Volleyball Coaches Association first-team honors two years ago and second team honors this past season and Daktronics second team honors as a junior. She was also a two-time selection as GNAC Player of the Year in her sport.
"While Liz will be known for her individual honors and the contribution to our program's success, what is more important to note about her is what an incredible teammate she is," Western volleyball coach Diane Flick said. "She makes the plays, runs the offense and does her job exceptionally well, but the fact that she elevates the play of those around her makes her more valuable than any stat can show."
Nichols, who outpointed University of Alaska Fairbanks basketball player Brad Oleson in the balloting, capped off a brilliant career leading the Lumberjacks into a semifinal contest at the NCAA II Elite Eight in Bakersfield, Calif. In four seasons, he scored a GNAC record 2,501 points as Humboldt State won 96 of 120 games and won or shared three conference titles.
Nichols, a three-time GNAC first-team all-star, also ranked among the Top 10 in GNAC history in three other career categories, including rebounds (5th with 705), three-point makes (4th with 193) and steals (7th with 125).
"(Austin) has been a tremendous young man to coach," Humboldt State coach Tom Wood said. "It's the total package with him. He's obviously a terrific basketball player, but he's also a terrific young man and a true student-athlete. I can't think of anyone who would represent such an award better than Austin Nichols."
LIZ BISHOP, WESTERN WASHINGTON (Volleyball, Sr., Setter, Seattle, WA/Mount Rainier)
Second team American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American ... First team AVCA and Daktronics Pacific Region all-star .... Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year for second straight season ... Ranked ninth nationally in assists (13.54), helping Vikings to a 24-2 record, their best in school history, and semifinals of NCAA Division II Pacific Regionals ... Led team to third straight 18-0 conference record, running league winning streak to 54, fourth longest in NCAA II history ... Finished second among school leaders in assists (4,176) and ninth in digs (850) ... Four-year letter winner.
AUSTIN NICHOLS, HUMBOLDT STATE (Basketball, Sr., Forward, Berkeley, CA)
Humboldt State and GNAC career scoring leader with 2,501 points ... Has also achieved the top three single-season scoring marks in HSU basketball history and ranks second in career field goals with 800 ... West Region tournament MVP ... Hit eight of 10 three-pointers in win over Cal Poly Pomona in opening game of regional tournament ... First-team GNAC all-star each of past three seasons ... 2003-04 Basketball Times third-team All-American ... First team all-region ... Led Lumberjacks to third-place national finish in Elite Eight ... Has had draft evaluation workouts with Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers.
GNAC Athletes-of-the-Year
Male
2001-02 Mike Hinshaw, Western Oregon (Football and Track & Field)
2002-03 Fred Hooks, Humboldt State (Basketball)
2003-04 Austin Nichols, Humboldt State (Basketball)
Female
2001-02 Stephanie Huffman, Seattle Pacific (Track & Field)
2002-03 Kerie Hughes, Seattle Pacific (Basketball)
2003-04 Liz Bishop, Western Washington (Volleyball)
