The University of Mississippi Athletics
Allstate Student-Athlete Of The Week
11/11/2002 | Soccer
Nov. 11, 2002
Ask soccer coaches and they'll tell you where most outcomes are decided. Sure, goal scorers are vital, and goalkeepers must be a stone wall in front of the net. However, many games are decided by the play of the midfield. Coaches know that, if their midfield controls play most of the contest, their squad has an excellent chance of winning. The Rebels have been the Southeastern Conference Western Division's winningest program the last five seasons, and a part of the reason for that success has been the play of midfielders like senior Anna Sanders.
The Fayetteville, Ark., native has been one of the squad's most consistent players since 1999, starting every game of her career. From her midfielder position, she has 41 career points on 12 goals and 17 assists. Her 41 points is eighth on the career scoring chart, and Sanders' name is also on the career goals scored (7th) and assists (5th) lists. A two-year team captain, she was a member of the 1999 and 2000 Ole Miss teams that claimed SEC Western Division titles, and she has also helped lead the Rebels to four-straight SEC Tournament appearances and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002.
Sanders has had just as much succes away from the field. The Exercise Science major holds a 3.59 grade-point average and is also pursuing a minor in Spanish. This past summer, she traveled to Costa Rica to earn credit hours toward her minor. A two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Sanders has earned Chancellor's, Dean's and UMAA Honor Roll distinction during her time at Ole Miss. She has been active in the Ole Miss CHAMPS Life Skills program, and during the 2001-02 year, Sanders served as the student-athlete representative on the Committee for Intercollegiate Athletics.
For excellence in both soccer and academics, Anna Sanders is this week's Allstate Insurance Student-Athlete of the Week.
