DES MOINES, IOWA - On the sunset of one of the more memorable campaigns in Drake women's basketball history, the Bulldogs honored the accomplishments of the 2007-08 campaign at the team's annual award banquet held at the Sheraton West Des Moines on Sunday (May 4).

Fifth-year head coach Amy Stephens presented five awards at the event.

Senior Lindsay Whorton (Independence, Mo./Truman) was tabbed as the Bulldogs' Most Valuable Player. A 2008 first team All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree, Whorton had a remarkable senior campaign recording career marks in scoring (13.6), rebounding (4.0) and assists (2.8), while becoming Drake's all-time leader in three-pointers (266). She finished among the MVC leaders in four statistical categories. She excelled off the court as well becoming just the third women's basketball player in school history to be named a first team Academic All-America selection, while also pulling in top scholar-athlete honors in the MVC.

Senior Jill Martin (Norwalk, Iowa/Norwalk) was honored as the team's Best Offensive Player. A 2008 first team All-MVC selection, Martin turned in the best offensive campaign of her career, registering team highs in scoring (16.8) and rebounding (9.1). In 34 games, ranked 43rd and 69th nationally in points per game and rebounds. Martin became the fifth 1,000-rebound player in Drake history when she surpassed the plateau with a career-best 16-rebound performance versus Green Bay on March 22. She finished among the MVC leaders in six statistical categories.

Earning Best Defensive Player accolades for the second consecutive season was sophomore Monique' Jones (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit North). Appearing in 34 games, she registered 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. She paced the Bulldogs in offensive rebounds and placed among the league leaders in offensive rebounds (2.0). Jones helped set the defensive tone for a Drake unit which held opponents to 60.0 points per outing, the lowest mark in the MVC.

Hauling in Most Improved Player laurels was sophomore Kaniesha Agee (Kansas City, Mo./Pembroke Hill). Appearing in 33 games, including 17 starts, Agee's numbers don't belie her meaning to the Bulldogs as she was an offensive catalyst for Drake in its second half of the season push to secure its first regular season MVC title in seven seasons as she set up her teammates on the offensive end, by distributing 1.7 assists.

Whorton also was the winner of the Charles E. Leonard award, which recognizes an individual overcoming adversity and having a positive attitude everyday and living life to the fullest.

Stephens and the Bulldogs had plenty to celebrate as the team concluded the campaign going 23-11, en route to claiming their first regular season MVC title since the 2000-01 campaign and their second straight appearance in the State Farm MVC Championship title game.

Drake earned a spot in the Women's National Invitation Tournament and collected its first postseason victory since the 2001-02 campaign with a 65-56 home win versus Green Bay (March 22), before coming up just short in its upset bid at Illinois in the tournament's second round.

The Bulldogs return three starters next season and will begin defense of their MVC title when Drake opens the 2008-09 campaign at home, versus Texas State. The game is tentatively slated for Nov. 14.