UT's Cullop named coach of the year

3/12/2013

University of Toledo’s Tricia Cullop is the Mid-American Conference women’s coach of the year for the third time in her five seasons with the program.

Additionally, Rockets guard Andola Dortch collected defensive player of the year for the second straight season.

Cullop guided Toledo to a 27-2 record in the regular season and a 15-1 mark in the MAC. The Rockets, who are the No. 1 seed in the league tournament, appeared in the Associated Press top 25 last week for the first time since 2002. They dropped out this week. Cullop is one of three MAC coaches to win the honor three times, joining former Toledo coach Mark Ehlen and former Bowling Green State University coach Curt Miller.

Dortch headlined a suffocating defensive effort that allowed a league-low 51 points per game. Her 77 steals led the league.

Akron’s Rachel Tecca earned player of the year, edging Toledo’s Naama Shafir, Central Michigan’s Crystal Bradford, and Miami’s Courtney Osborn. Ball State’s Nathalie Fontaine was named freshman of the year, and the Cardinals’ Shanee’ Jackson captured the conference’s sixth man award.