May 7, 2008

HOUSTON --- Senior Holly Krzan was named to the Conference USA All-Academic team and freshmen Laura Callaway and Caley Walden were tabbed to the C-USA All-Freshman team, as announced by the league office here Wednesday.

Callaway and Walden were two of 11 named to the team and the first duo to be named to the team from the Blazers since 2006. Krzan received her second consecutive nod to the C-USA All-Academic Team.

"I'm very happy for our girls," head coach Marla Townsend said. "This speaks to the dedication that this three players have taken on this season and also shows that they were standouts in the respective catergories."

Walden was one of five players to start in every game for UAB this season. Splitting time between center and left field the freshman was a key part in the Blazers outfield. She recorded 49 putouts and 2 outfield assists on the season. She has 11 runs scored and 17 hits on the season and leads the Blazers with 12 stolen bases, which is tied for sixth in the conference.

Callaway has served as a great tool for UAB this season, spending time primarily at first base, while also playing as the designated player. She started 51 of the Blazers' 58 games this season and is hitting .240 with 12 RBI. Her fielding percentage is second highest on the team behind Walden. She has 215 putouts and 20 assists on the year.

"Both Caley and Laura have played important roles for us this season," Townsend said. "They stepped up and honestly played most of the season like they weren't even freshman."

Krzan graduated with Cum Laude honors in December 2007. She was recently named to her fifth C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and was the recipient of UAB's 2008 Student Athlete Advisory Committee Award.

"I think an award like this really speaks to the type of player Holly is," Townsend said. "Not only does she perform well but she excels in the classroom and community. I can't think of any other player more deserving of this award than her."

Krzan was one of six two-time recipients of the award and the first two-time member for the Blazers. She also leads the Blazers on the field, leading the team in numerous offensive categories including runs, doubles, RBI and slugging percentage.

The West Richland, Wash. Native has excelled on the field for UAB. Krzan holds the UAB record for games played and started, runs, total bases, doubles and walks. She also ranks second in home runs, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.

The Blazers, the eighth seed in the C-USA Championship, will face the ninth-seeded Memphis Tigers at 9 a.m., with the winner advancing to face the first-seeded Houston Cougars at 5:30 p.m. later that evening.

All-Conference USA First Team C - Rachel Folden, Marshall; IF - Jessica Valis, Houston; IF - Jennifer Klinkert, Houston; IF - Breanne Javier, UCF; IF - Stacie Townsend, UTEP; OF - Laurie Wagner, Houston; OF - Samantha Rodriguez, Marshall; OF - Lauren Lindsay, Tulsa; UT - Camilla Carerra, UTEP; P - Angel Shamblin, Houston; P - Allison Kime, UCF;

All-Conference USA Second Team C - Elaina Nordstrom, Houston; IF - Christa Raley, Houston; IF - Leila Dolfo, Memphis; IF - Sara Dyer, Tulsa; IF - Amber Bennett, UTEP; OF - Katie Bush, Houston; OF - Rachel Sofie, Marshall; OF - Megan Hill, Southern Miss; UT - Lindsey Tower, Tulsa; P - Samantha Davis, Southern Miss; P - Jordan Kinard, Tulsa

All-Conference USA Freshman Team Jennifer Klinkert, Houston; Melanie Stoehr, Marshall; Maddie McKinley, Memphis; Kimber Bossom, Memphis; Jordan Kinard, Tulsa; Kailey Chapman, Tulsa Laura Callaway, UAB Caley Walden, UAB; Tiffany Lane, UCF; Abby McCalin, UCF; Camilla Carerra, UTEP

Freshman of the Year Jennifer Klinkert, OF, Houston

Co-Newcomers of the Year Kelly Nielson, IF, Marshall; Marquita Council, UCF

Pitcher of the Year Angel Shamblin, Houston

Player of the Year Rachel Folden, Marshall

Coach of the Year Kyla Holas, Houston

All-Academic Team Cristen Aona, ECU; Charina Sumner, ECU; Katie Bush, Houston; Laurie Wagner, Houston; Rachel Folden, Marshall; Lindsey Kelso, Memphis; Sara Dyer, Tulsa; Holly Krzan, UAB; Cat Snapp, UCF; Ashley Van Ryn, UCF; Stacie Townsend, UTEP