With all the accomplishments of last season’s 26-5 NIU women’s basketball season, it must be difficult for Coach Jane Albright, or anyone else, to determine a Most Valuable Player.

However, a simple solution was reached – give two players MVP honors instead of one.

Tammy Hinchee and Carol ‘C.O.’ Owens, NIU’s rebounding and scoring leaders, were named co-MVPs at the team’s season-closing awards banquet last Sunday.

Hinchee finished her career as NIU’s all-time leading rebounder (1,099 rebounds). Her season-best 10.4 rebound average earned her the 1990 Rebounding Excellence award. Hinchee, a U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-District Four selection, was NIU’s No.2 scorer (19.7 ppg) and topped the Huskies’ field goal percentage chart, shooting a single-season record 57 percent from the floor.

Owens was the only NIU basketball player to reach the 2,000-point and 1,000-rebound marks and led both Huskie and North Star Conference scoring (21.7 ppg). The team’s No. 2 rebounder (9.2 rpg), Owens tallied a season-best 61 blocked shots and 74 steals. A Kodak District Four All-America and a USBWA All-District Four selection, Owens was also presented the NIU Coaches Award and was co-recipient of the 1989-90 Captain’s Cup with Kris Weis.

Guard Denise Dove was presented the Defensive award while forward Dee Dee Jeske was named NIU’s Most Improved Player. Dove totaled 62 steals and 164 assists. Her 386 career assists is an NIU record. Jeske averaged 4.4 ppg and 2.5 rpg as a reserve.

Tracy Mondek won the Academic Excellence award for the second straight season. Mondek has a 3.17 grade point average.