May 7, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu; (901) 871-5745
EL PASO, Texas ¨C University of Memphis sophomore Janelle Valle was chosen as one of 11 softball student-athletes to the Conference USA All-Academic Team as voted by the leagues sports information directors.
Valle is a biology major with a minor in criminal justice and sports a 3.97 GPA. A three©\time Tiger 3.0 Club, Tiger Academic 30 and Dean¡¯s List member, she is a two time C©\USA Commissioner¡¯s Honor Roll and Academic Medal recipient. A 2007©\08 NFCA Scholar Athlete, Valle volunteered to help Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis.
The southpaw leads the team in ERA (3.14), wins (8), appearances (28), games started (23), complete games (15), innings pitched (136.0), strikeouts (73) and opposing batting average (.250). The Lake Elsinore, Calif., native held 2009 C©\USA preseason favorite Houston to four hits in 16 innings to help Memphis earn a three©\game sweep and earned the team¡¯s first shutout of the season with a two©\hit 2©\0 blanking over UCF. Valle has allowed three hits or less in eight starts and ranks in the top 10 in the conference in ERA, opposing batting average, innings pitched, games started and fewest home runs allowed.
Valle is one of only two sophomores on the list.
2009 C-USA SOFTBALL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Name School Class GPA Major
*Cristen Aona East Carolina Jr. 3.83 Health Education and Promotion
Jessica Johnson East Carolina Sr. 3.74 Merchandising
Kaui Tom East Carolina Jr. 4.00 Health Education and Promotion
*Katie Bush Houston Sr. 3.70 Kinesiology / Exercise Science
Katie Murphree Marshall Jr. 3.74 Biology
Janelle Valle Memphis So. 3.97 Biology (Minor: Criminal Justice)
Kristin Pilgrim Southern Miss Sr. 3.50 Forensic Science
*Stephanie Chomicki Tulsa Sr. 3.80 Elementary Education
Kailey Yarmer Tulsa Sr. 3.28 Chemical Engineering
Andrea Rogers UAB Sr. 3.42 Physical Education
Abby McClain UCF So. 3.75 Biology
*Stacie Townsend UTEP Jr. 4.00 Business
*Repeat Selection
