Tampa, Fla. – March. 8, 2024 – South Florida women’s Basketball freshman guard Vittoria Blasigh was named Freshman of the Year, and redshirt junior forward Romi Levy was tabbed Newcomer of the Year by the American Athletic Conference on Friday afternoon.
Blasigh is the fifth freshman in program history (fourth Bull in AAC history) to earn the accolade, joining Elena Tsineke (2019-20), Tamara Henshaw (2016-17), Kitja Laksa (2015-16), and Jessica Dickson (2003-04).
FRESHMAN GUARD VITTORIA BLASIGH SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
- Six-time AAC FOTW, the most by any Bull in AAC History and the third most by an individual in league history.
- She locked in a career-best 35 points against Tulsa (Jan. 10) on 13-of-25 from FG range. Blasigh’s 35 points tied for the second most by an AAC individual in conference action. Blasigh’s 13 FGM is the second most field goals made by an AAC individual in conference action.
- She put up 11 double-figure scoring games, four 20+ games and one 30+ performance in conference play.
- Blasigh’s 72 total 3-pointers made this season is third among freshmen in the NCAA and is ranked 22nd nationally.
Levy is the second USF performer to earn Newcomer of the Year honors, following Sammie Puisis (2022-23) in back-to-back seasons. The Herzliya, Israel native also earned spots on the AAC All-Conference second team and All-Newcomer squad.
REDSHIRT JUNIOR FORWARD ROMI LEVY SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
- Has logged 17 straight double-digit performances, 20+ points in five of the last seven games, and averages 20.1 ppg in conference play (ranked 5th in the conference in scoring average).
- Collared nine 20+ point performances and a single 30+ point game in conference play.
- Stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, a career-high 4 blocks, and two steals in win at SMU (Mar. 5).
- Had a career-high 32-point output in a win at Tulane (Jan. 6).
- Named to AAC Honor Roll 6x this season.
- Levy became the first Bull to record 28+ points, 8+ rebounds, 3+ assists, 3+ steals, and 2+ blocks (Wichita St., Feb. 13) in a single game since 2009-10 per HerHoopStats.
2023-24 AAC ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Temira Poindexter, F, Tulsa
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Danae McNeal, G, East Carolina
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Vittoria Blasigh, G, South Florida
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jason Burton, North Texas
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Delanie Crawford, G, Tulsa
SIXTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dyani Robinson, G, North Texas
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
DesiRay Kernal, F, North Texas
Romi Levy, F, South Florida
AMBASSADOR AWARD
Chantae Embry, F, SMU
ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
Dazia Lawrence, G, Charlotte
Danae McNeal, G, East Carolina*
DesiRay Kernal, F, North Texas
Tommisha Lampkin, F, North Texas
Temira Poindexter, F, Tulsa*
ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
Madison Griggs, G, Memphis
Romi Levy, F, South Florida
Tiara Young, G, SMU
Tiarra East, G, Temple
Delanie Crawford, G, Tulsa
ALL-CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM
Denim DeShields, G, UAB
Mia Moore, G, UAB
Malia Fisher, F, Rice
Aleah Nelson, G, Temple
Daniela Abies, F, Wichita State
ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
Mia Moore, G, UAB
Tatyana Wyche, F, East Carolina
Alasia Smith, F, Memphis
DesiRay Kernal, F, North Texas*
Romi Levy, F, South Florida
* denotes unanimous selection
UP NEXT
With the first-round bye, five-seed South Florida will face the winner of the 12-seed Florida Atlantic and 13-seed Wichita State game on Sunday, Mar. 10 at 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase women’s basketball tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com.
AAC BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS
For the fourth consecutive year, The American’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be contested at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Both Championships expand to 14 teams this season with The Women’s Championship running March 9-13. Ticket packages for the Women’s Championship will be $85 per package. All tickets are for general admission seating. Bulls fans can purchase tickets here. All ticket packages are subject to Ticketmaster and facility fees.
ABOUT USF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
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South Florida women’s basketball recorded its 11th 20-win season during the 2022-23 campaign. USF has made 18 postseason tournament appearances and had nine NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 23 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to 11 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship, has won over 450 career games and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
– #GoBulls –
