University of Albany Announces 2007-08 Male and Female Athletes of the Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- Brian Lillis, an all-conference performer in basketball, and Amber Maisonet, an all-region outfielder in softball, have been chosen as the University at Albany's 2007-08 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, as announced on Monday, June 23. The athletes were selected in voting by the head coaches of the school's Division I 19-sport intercollegiate athletic program.



Lillis, a senior guard from Urbandale, Iowa, earned first-team All-America East Conference honors and made his second consecutive appearance on the conference's all-defensive team. He was voted the 2008 America East Fans' Choice Player of the Year. Lillis, who was one of 10 players at the NCAA Division I level to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists, ranked among the league leaders in several categories. He averaged 16.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals.



Lillis, who helped the Great Danes tie for second in the America East regular-season standings, scored 20-plus points on five occasions, including a career-high 29 against Vermont in early January. His reverse slam dunk made ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Day on Feb. 11. He posted a 26-game, double-figure scoring streak and became the first UAlbany player in the program's Division I history to register back-to-back double-doubles in points and rebounds. He finished his career ranked among UAlbany's all-time leaders in assists (269), steals (169) and blocked shots (59).



Maisonet, a senior from Newburgh, N.Y., was voted first-team All-America East Conference for the fourth straight season. She made her first appearance on the All-ECAC squad and was picked second-team All-Northeast Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Maisonet was named to the America East all-championship team after leading her squad to the tournament final for the fourth year in a row. The Great Danes won the conference's regular-season title with a 34-17 record.



A left fielder who ranked 21st nationally in triples and 24th in stolen bases, Maisonet batted. 379 from her lead-off spot in the order with 61 total hits, 33 runs and 16 RBI. She added 27 stolen bases, six doubles, five triples and three home runs. Maisonet completed her career as UAlbany's all-time leader in hits (233) and runs (151), plus finished second in stolen bases (96) and fourth in hitting (.360 BA).



Maisonet and Lillis were also accomplished in the classroom. Maisonet became the first UAlbany female in the Division I era to receive national first-team Academic All-America recognition. She was chosen to the ESPN The Magazine University Division Softball Academic All-America Team. Lillis, an ECAC Merit Medal recipient, was named the America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year in basketball.

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University at Albany Athletes of the Year (Division I)

2007-08: Male: Brian Lillis (Basketball), Female: Amber Maisonet (Softball)

2006-07: Male: Frank Resetarits (Lacrosse) & Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Casey Halloran (Softball)

2005-06: Male: Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball) & Casey Halloran (Softball)

2004-05: Male: Luke Daquino (Lacrosse), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball)

2003-04: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Andee Lindgren (Softball)

2002-03: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Teresa Covert (Track & Field)

2001-02: Male: Chris Phillis (Football), Female: Amy Di Micco (Field Hockey)

2000-01: Male: Michael Oliva (Baseball), Female: Dawn Di Micco (Basketball/Lacrosse)

1999-00: Male: Todd Cetnar (Basketball), Female: Megan Buchanan (Basketball)