
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 2, 1995                   TAG: 9503030083
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ACC HONORS CAVS' PALMER AND RYAN

Forward Wendy Palmer of Virginia was named 1995 Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year Wednesday and her coach, Debbie Ryan, was chosen coach of the year.

Palmer, a 6-foot-2 junior from Timberlake, N.C., is second in the league in field-goal percentage and rebounding, and is shooting 58.8 percent and grabbing 9.6 rebounds a game. She's tied for third in scoring with 17.8 per contest.

Ryan earned her sixth ACC coach of the year distinction after guiding the Cavaliers to an undefeated record in conference play and the first 16-win league record ever in ACC women's and men's basketball.

In her 18th year she is the winningest basketball coach in school history recording 409 wins against 138 losses for a winning percentage of 74.7 percent.

North Carolina State freshman Chasity Melvin was named rookie of the year. She has the best field-goal percentage in the conference, 61.7 percent. The 6-3 center from Roseboro, N.C., averages 15.9 points a game.

Joining Palmer on the first team are forward Charlotte Smith and guard Marion Jones from North Carolina; Duke center Alison Day; and Clemson guard Tara Saunooke.

The second team: Virginia's Jenny Boucek ( G, 5-8, Jr.); Kisha Ford of Georgia Tech (F, 5-11, So.); Tammy Gibson of N.C. State (G, 5-8, Sr.); Jennifer Howard of N.C. State (G, 5-7, So.); and Carey Kauffman of Duke (F, 6-3, Sr.).

by CNB