VERMILLION, S.D. -- South Dakota forward Mandy Koupal, a sophomore from Wagner, S.D., was named honorable mention All-American on the 2002 Daktronics, Inc. Division II Women's Basketball All-America team selected by members of CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America).

Laurie McIntosh, a 5-foot-11 senior from Diamond Bar, Calif., was named player of the year. She helped lead the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos to a 28-4 record and second straight NCAA Division II National Championship in 2002. She was named the 2002 NCAA Division II Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player, and scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the title game vs. SE Oklahoma State. The 2002 Daktronics, Inc. Division II All-America team has two repeat selections including three-time pick Michelle Cottrell of Northern Kentucky University. Pace University's Wanda Maynard-Morris was a two-time second team selection. Joining Cottrell and McIntosh on the first team were Cal State-Bakersfield's Heather Garay; North Carolina Central's Amba Kongolo, and Mars Hill University's Denise Shelton. Kongolo was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the WBNA draft.

Koupal, who had one of the best basketball seasons in school history, was earlier this year named a fourth team all-American by the Division II Bulletin. The NCC's Co-MVP, Koupal was first-team all-NCC, academic all-NCC, Daktronics all-Region and Verizon Academic District VII second team selection.

Koupal finished the season leading the league in defensive rebounds (7.11 per game), and she was third in scoring at 21.7 points per game and rebounds, 9.8 per game. In addition, she was fourth in field goal percentage (50 percent), tied for fifth in blocked shots at 1.0 per game and fifth in free throw shooting (79.6 percent). Koupal is the third South Dakota player named league MVP and the first since Ann Pancoast was selected in 1984-85. Karrie Wallen was named the league's MVP in 1982-83.

A 6'1 forward, Koupal has scored in double figures all 28 games this season and has 15 games with double figure rebounds. Koupal, who has a NCC-high of 15 double doubles, made 212 of 415 field goals for 51.1 percent, including 152 of 191 free throws for 79.6 percent.

This season, Koupal scored more than 20 points on 16 occasions and had 30 or more points four times. In her last three games of the season, Koupal averaged 29.0 points. Koupal made 152 of 191 for 79.6 percent from the free throw line and recorded a team high 52 steals, which is the 16th best total in school history.

Three times, including the week of Feb. 22-23, she was been named NCC Player of the Week. Koupal set four school records, including points scored (590), season scoring average (21.7), free throws made (152), and free throws attempted (191). Her 266 rebounds is the 6th best single season rebound total in school history. In addition, she recorded 26 blocked shots which is the ninth best single season total in school history.

The all-American team is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition. The company also markets DakStats? sports statistics software with programs for football, basketball and baseball available.