Release courtesy of Wes Frahm, Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing, Michigan Technological University

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Michigan Tech senior Angela Guisfredi (Hubbell, Mich./Lake Linden-Hubbell) was named the recipient of the prestigious NCAA Elite 88 Award tonight at the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Banquet of Champions on the campus of Missouri Western State. The award is presented to the student-athlete with highest grade point average of any player at the NCAA Elite Eight.

The award is in its second year, and a Michigan Tech player has won it both times. Fellow Upper Peninsula native and current Huskies’ assistant coach Sarah Stream (Ishpeming, Mich./Westwood) was the inaugural winner a year ago.

Guisfredi owns a 3.94 cumulative grade point average in exercise science. The 5-5 guard has started 29 games this season and averages 7.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. She is shooting 48.6 percent from 3-point range—on pace to break the school record of 48.1. The senior also will break the school record for games played with her 128th in the national quarterfinal tomorrow.

The NCAA Elite 88 Award recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 88 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s 88 championships.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

The 2011 NCAA Women’s Basketball Elite Eight begins tomorrow. No. 3-ranked Michigan Tech will square off against No. 1-ranked Arkansas Tech in one of four national quarterfinal games. Tipoff at the Civic Center in St. Joseph is set for 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT.