May 8, 2002

TAMPA, Fla. - The Charlotte 49ers softball team has three of its players on the All-Conference USA team it was announced this afternoon by the league. Leah Heston is a first-team selection, while Stephanie Dunlap and Kristy Constantino are second-team picks.

"We are extremely proud of Leah, Stephanie and Kristy," head coach Aimee DeVos said. "They had outstanding performances this season and it is a great honor for them and our program for them to be a part of the C- USA all conference team."

Heston, a senior third baseman, leads Conference USA and is among the top 30 nationally with a school-record .413 batting average. She also leads the league with a .660 slugging percentage and .508 on-base percentage. She ranks second in home runs and RBI with seven and 46, respectively. Her .90 runs batted in per game rank 19th in the latest NCAA statistics. In her final collegiate at bat, Heston launched a home run to left center, tying her with Dunlap for first in Charlotte's single-season record book.

Dunlap, the Niners' senior first baseman, finished her career last weekend as the school's career leader in home runs and RBI. She is also among the league leaders, ranking in the top five for slugging percentage, on-base percentage, RBI, home runs and doubles. Her .31 doubles per game rank 23rd in the NCAA stats.

Constantino, a junior outfielder, made a name for herself this season as the team's leadoff hitter. She hit .293 and ranked second on the team in stolen bases with 10. She also finished the year eighth in Conference USA in runs scored with 33.

The three all-conference selections are the most for the program since joining the league. This season the 49ers won 24 games, their highest win total since the 1997 season. Their six Conference USA wins were the most since joining the league.

2002 CONFERENCE USA SOFTBALL AWARDS
First-Team All-Conference USA
C: Gina Ramacci, DePaul
IF: Leah Heston, Charlotte
IF: Liz Bouck, DePaul
IF: April Valdez, DePaul
IF: Angela Manzo, East Carolina
IF: Kenzie Meisenburg, Louisville
IF: Candice Hithe, UAB
OF: Beth Bridger, East Carolina
OF: Sara Bausher, Louisville
OF: Keola Calderon, Louisville
OF: Cliffanie Engram, UAB
P: Lindsay Chouinard, DePaul
P: Nicole Bacon, East Carolina
UT: Sarah Martz, DePaul
DP: Nicole Bohnenstiehl, Saint Louis

Second-Team All-Conference USA
C: Ray Ferreris, Houston
IF: Stephanie Dunlap, Charlotte
IF: Ali McDougall, Houston
IF: Leslie Seay, Houston
IF: Channika Gant, Southern Miss
IF: Kai Paul, UAB
OF: Kristy Constantino, Charlotte
OF: Riane Netardus, Houston
OF: Renee Oursler, South Florida
OF: Sara Boyd, Southern Miss
P: Jessica Rak, Louisville
P: Megan Stephenson, UAB
DP: Kelli Thompson, UAB

Conference USA All-Freshmen Team
C: Lisa Estes, Louisville
IF: Kristen Glowacz, Houston
IF: Kate Manuse, East Carolina
IF: Carmela Liwag, South Florida
OF: Dana Kenney, DePaul
OF: Kim Nesloney, Houston
OF: Sara Bausher, Louisville
OF: Kristin Stanfill, UAB
P: Krystle Herold, Louisville
P: Niki Trowell, South Florida
UT: Saskia Roberson, DePaul
DP: Jenilee Skender, Houston

Freshman of the Year: Kristen Glowacz, Houston
Pitcher of the Year: Lindsay Chouinard, DePaul
Most Valuable Player: Liz Bouck, DePaul
Coach of the Year: Marla Townsend, UAB