March 24, 2009

Walnut Creek, CA - UCLA women's basketball junior guards Allison Taka (Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) and Erica Tukiainen (Los Angeles, CA/Windward School) have been named to the Pac-10 All-Academic team for 2008-09. Taka earned first-team honors, posting a 3.72 GPA in Sociology, while Tukiainen received second-team acclaim with a 3.39 GPA in French.

Taka receives her first career Pac-10 Academic honor after a season in which she played in all 31 games with one start. She averaged 2.5 points per game and ranked third on the team with 18 three-pointers made and tied for first with a 1.2 assist-turnover ratio.

Tukiainen, who was an honorable mention selection a year ago, was elevated to second-team status in 2008-09. The Bruin team captain started in 30 of 31 games this season and averaged 8.3 points, second-best on the squad, and 3.1 rebounds per game. She led the team with 27 three-pointers made and ranked second with 12 blocked shots. Tukiainen also earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors.

To be eligible for selection to the academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and be either a starter or significant contributor.

2008-09 Pac-10 All-Academic Women's Basketball Teams

First Team
Sybil Dosty, Arizona State, Gr. - 4.05, Liberal Studies
Kate Engelbrecht, Arizona State, Sr. - 3.75, Kinesiology
Lauren Greif, California, Jr. - 3.57, Psychology
Talisa Rhea, Oregon State, So. - 3.54, Exercise & Sport Science
Allison Taka, UCLA, Jr. - 3.72, Sociology

Second Team
Katie Appleton, Washington State, Sr. - 3.41, Movement Studies
Kezia Kelly, Washington State, So. - 3.65, Psychology
Danielle Orsillo, Arizona State, Sr. - 3.46, Communication
Erica Tukiainen, UCLA, Jr.- 3.39, French
Sami Whitcomb, Washington, Jr. - 3.38, History

Honorable Mention
Jayne Appel, Jr., STAN; Kelsey Adrian, So., CAL; Michelle Augustavo, Sr., WASH; Katie Calderwood, So., WSU; Micaela Cocks, Jr., ORE; Mercedes Fox-Griffin, Sr., OSU; Rosalyn Gold-Onwude, Jr., STAN; Jillian Harmon, Sr., STAN; Faihza Hill, So., ARIZ; Kari LaPlante, So., USC; Camille LeNoir, Sr., USC; Ellie Manou, So., ORE; Sara Mosiman, Jr., WASH; Sarah Morton, So., WASH; Kayli Murphy, Jr., ASU; Amina Njonkou, Sr., ARIZ; Kayla Pedersen, So., STAN; Jeanette Pohlen, So., STAN; Kirsten Thompson, Sr., ASU.