June 16, 2004

NEW YORK - Three-time USC women's volleyball All-American April Ross has been named one of five finalists for the prestigious Honda-Broderick Award, announced today by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards. The honor is awarded annually to the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

The 2003-04 award winner will be announced Monday, June 21, and will receive the 28th annual Honda-Broderick Cup at the Low Library of Columbia University.

In addition to Ross, who led the Women of Troy to a 35-0 record and a second-straight NCAA title in the fall, the five finalists are senior swimmer Tara Kirk of Stanford, soccer's Catherine Reddick of North Carolina, basketball's Diana Taurasi of UConn and softball's Jessica van der Linden of Florida State.

In 2002, USC track & field standout Angela Williams was named the Collegiate Woman Student-Athlete of the Year, becoming the Women of Troy's second-ever Honda-Broderick Cup winner. Women's basketball's Cheryl Miller was awarded USC's first Broderick Cup in 1984 after leading the Trojans to two NCAA titles.

The Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year balloting involves all NCAA-member institutions, with nominees selected from among 12 women chosen as the most outstanding in their sports during the school year. The award program is sponsored by American Honda Motor Co.

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