Women's Basketball | 2/14/2017 12:57:00 PM

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State University women's basketball junior Zandra Emanuel was honored with the Central Texas Region of the National Girls & Women In Sports Day organization's Most Spirited Award on Monday (Feb. 13) during a reception held on Texas State' campus.
 
Emanuel, who is averaging 2.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in her first season at Texas State after transferring from Coastal Bend College, was nominated for the award by women's basketball head coach Zenarae Antoine.
 
"Zandra is an excellent student athlete, emphasis on the 'student' piece," wrote Antoine in her nomination letter. "Out of high school, while she was not highly recruited on the basketball floor, but she had her choice of universities because of her great academic performance. She was initially accepted and planned to attend Texas State as a general student, giving up her dream of playing basketball on the Division I level. But, the urge became too strong for her to ignore, and she realized the importance of the game of basketball in her life. After an offer from Coastal Bend College came in, she decided to make her dream a reality and sacrifice her acceptance to Texas State to become a part of a basketball team on the next level.
 
"Fortunately for Texas State, Zandra always kept Texas State in her mind and heart. She spent her two years at Coastal Bend working hard in the classroom and earned her associate's degree to deem herself eligible to transfer to the Division I level. In addition, she created a name for herself by becoming one of the nation's top rebounders at the junior college level in the 2015-16 season."
 
Emanuel led the NJCAA Division I with 428 total rebounds during her 2015-16 season at Coastal Bend College.
 
"Zandra was recruited to come to Texas State, not only for her basketball skill set, but also because of the intangible and incredible spirit she would bring to the team," wrote Antoine. "Zandra is a leader when it comes to bench attitudes, keeping everyone engaged in the game and cheering on her teammates. She stays 'locked in' so she is ready to go in to the game and perform when called upon.
 
"From a coach's perspective, Zandra embodies the Bobcat spirit in every form. She works hard to exceed expectations in the classroom, demands the best from her teammates and leads on and off the floor with her amazing spirit."
 
-- TXSTATEBOBCATS.COM --