Wake Forest Athletics
Mekia Valentine Named to ACC All-Freshman Team
2/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 27, 2007
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Forward Mekia Valentine was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.
The Greensboro native finished the regular season as one of the league's top shot blockers. Valentine ranked fifth in the ACC in blocks with 1.75 per game. She was second in blocks among all conference freshmen.
Valentine established herself as one of the best shot blockers in Wake Forest history as well, breaking the school's 20-year-old single-season freshman record. Valentine's 49 blocks surpassed Lisa Dodd's previous mark of 43, set in 1986-87. She is tied for eighth on the ACC's all-time single-season freshman list. Valentine also turned in the second-highest total in program history, regardless of class.
The 6-4 forward shattered Wake's single-game blocks record with nine against Western Carolina on Nov. 14. The previous mark was five, which Valentine equaled in the first half alone against the Catamounts. Her nine blocks fell two shy of the ACC record of 11, set in 1983. She became just the fifth player in conference history to tally nine or more blocks in a game.
Valentine also turned in a solid season on the offensive end, averaging 5.6 points per game and leading the Deacons in field goal percentage (.466).
She posted two double-doubles on the season, against Richmond and NC State. Valentine had a career-best 14 rebounds against the Spiders and a career-high 16 points against the Wolfpack.
Valentine was named the ACC Co-Rookie of the week after her performance against NC State on Feb. 1. In addition to her 16 points, she also had 12 rebounds and five blocks.
This marks the second year in a row that Wake Forest has had a member of the ACC All-Freshman Team. Valentine is the 10th freshman in program history to receive the honor.
