Aug. 29, 2002

East Meadow, NY - Stanford's Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA) has been selected as a finalist for the Women's Sports Foundation's 2002 Sportswoman of the Year Award. Villa was nominated in the team sports category, with the field now being narrowed to nine finalists for the 2002 ballot.

Voting is currently underway, with the members of the Women's Sports Foundation selecting the Sportswoman of the Year. The process will be completed by the beginning of September and the winners will be notified by mid-September.

Villa led the Cardinal, who finished the 2002 season with a 23-2 overall record and won its first NCAA National Title with a 8-4 win over UCLA on May 12. She was named to the American Water Polo Coaches Association All-America First Team and was tabbed the 2000 National Player of the Year. Villa led the Cardinal in scoring with 60 goals and scored in 23 of Stanford's 25 games. She also earned First Team All-MPSF honors and was selected to the All-Tournament First Team's at this year's NCAA and MPSF Championships.

2002 Sportswomen Of The Year (Team Finalists):

Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers (Bobsled, United States)
Sue Bird (Basketball, United States)
Valerie Halesworth (Football, United States)
Misty May and Kerri Walsh (Beach Volleyball, United States)
Anna Mickelson (Rowing, United States)
Tiffeny Milbrett (Soccer, United States)
Stacey Nuveman (Softball, United States)
Brenda Villa (Water Polo, United States)
Hayley Wickenheiser (Ice Hockey, Canada)