Six women have been selected as finalists for the 2016 Fighting Illini Female Newcomer of the Year, presented annually by the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA). The group was honored at the annual All-Sports Celebration on April 25 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Urbana. The winner will be voted on by Fighting Illini head coaches and a DIA awards committee and announced on Wednesday, June 15.
Female Newcomer of the Year Finalists
Freshman Alex Wittinger (Delano, Minn.), Basketball
Freshman Bing Singhsumalee (Naperville, Ill.), Golf
Freshman Lizzy LeDuc (Dallas, Texas), Gymnastics
Freshman Morgan Maroney (Castle Rock, Colo.), Soccer
Freshman Ines Vias (Germantown, Md.), Tennis
Freshman Jordyn Poulter (Aurora, Colo.), Volleyball
Finalist Bios
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ALEX WITTINGER | Basketball • Big Ten All-Freshman Team • Two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week • Fourth on the Illini in scoring (10.0 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.9 rpg) • Ranked second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounding, averaging 3.3 per game • Recorded three double-doubles on the year including career-best marks of 27 points and 15 rebounds at Minnesota (Jan. 26) |
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BING SINGHSUMALEE | Golf • Second-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Championship Team selection • Broke the all-time Illini record for single-season stroke average, finishing the year with a 73.94 average in 33 rounds • Tied the Illinois school record for lowest 18-hole score in her first collegiate round, firing a 6-under-par (66) at the Minnesota Invitational (Sept. 14) • Carded the third-best 54-hole tournament score in program history at the Big Ten Championships, finishing tied for fourth overall with a 5-under-par 211 • Earned three top-10 individual finishes and was Illinois' top finisher in six of 11 tournaments on the season |
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LIZZY LEDUC | Gymnastics • Competed on floor at the NCAA National Championships, the first Illini freshman to qualify for nationals since 2008 • Salt Lake City NCAA Regional Floor Champion • Qualified for the NCAA Championships after producing a career-high 9.950 on floor at Regionals to take the event title • Her 9.950 score also ranks third in program history on the event • Garnered three event titles on the season; two on beam and one on floor |
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MORGAN MARONEY | Soccer • Played in all 19 of Illinois' games on defense, earning 18 starts • Helped anchor an Illini defense that held five opponents to single-digit shot attempts on the year • Led all UI freshmen in playing time, logging a total of 1,418 minutes • Played 110 minutes for the Orange and Blue against Ohio State • Took five shots on the season, putting two on goal |
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INES VIAS | Tennis • Led the Illini in singles wins, totaling 18 during her freshman season • Teamed with Louise Kwong all season long at No. 1 doubles, with the duo ranking as high 35th nationally and finishing the year ranked No. 49 in the country • Compiled a 24-8 doubles record, including 9-1 in Big Ten play • Defeated six nationally ranked opponents in doubles • Played at No. 2, 3 and 4 singles positions on the season, going 18-12 overall and 6-4 in the conference |
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JORDYN POULTER | Volleyball • Big Ten All-Freshman Team • Started 29 of 32 contests as a true freshman at the setter position, helping lead the Illini to their third-straight NCAA Regionals appearance • Two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Aug. 31 & Sept. 28) and Big Ten Setter of the Week (Sept. 28) • Directed Illini offense with 1,088 assists and finished the season ranked eighth in the Big Ten with 10.46 assists per set • Recorded eight double-doubles on the season, led by career highs of 59 assists and 21 digs vs. No. 4 Minnesota (Oct. 3) |
