April 15, 2009
Banquet Photo Gallery 1 | Gallery 2
Senior Videos: 
Amy Malo | Jennifer Risper | Christina Wirth
Merideth Marsh presents Christina Wirth with the Commodore Award.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Commodore women’s basketball team celebrated the 2008-09 season during an awards banquet Wednesday night at the Marriott Vanderbilt.
The 90-minute program included remarks from Head Coach Melanie Balcomb, “Voice of the Commodores” Joe Fisher and Vanderbilt’s graduating senior class of Amy Malo, Jennifer Risper and Christina Wirth.
Wirth received the Commodore Award — voted on by teammates — for the second straight year, while also earning the Coaches’ Go-To Player Award.
Risper was honored as the team’s Best Defensive Player in the night’s least suspenseful announcement; she earned the National Defensive Player of the Year award from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association last month.
Vanderbilt’s sophomore class dominated the remaining awards. Point guard Jence Rhoads was named the team’s Most Improved Player after ranking in the NCAA’s Top 10 in assist-to-turnover ratio this season.
Forward Hannah Tuomi was named the team’s Most Inspirational Player. Tuomi was sidelined with an injury late in the season, but her presence on the team was still felt through the hard-work and grit of the players that filled in for her missing production. Rebecca Silinski was named the team’s Give Back Player. Even though Silinski was forced to miss playing time due to illness this season, she remained a vocal, supportive presence on the squad.