representativFormer Golden Gopher volleyball player Cassie Busse (Prior Lake, Minn.) was named the state of Minnesota's finalist representative for the 2004 NCAA Woman of the Year honors. Busse joins representatives from the other 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as a NCAA Woman of the Year Finalists.

This prestigious award honors outstanding female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics and community leadership, and have completed their collegiate athletics eligibility.

Colleges and universities nominated 276 student-athletes for this year's award. A committee comprised of representatives from member schools selected the state winners.

A national winner - the NCAA Woman of the Year - will be selected by the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics from among 10 finalists. The top 10 finalists will be announced September 15.

Busse was a First-Team Academic All-American and a First-Team AVCA All-American in 2003. She was also a Third-Team Academic All-American and a Second-Time AVCA All-American in 2002.