Shelpuk is a junior defender form McKinney while Mallory is a sophomore forward/midfielder from Spring.

The two paired to lead Sam Houston to its third post-season tournament appearance in the last four years as the Bearkats reached the Southland semifinals.

Shelpuk started all 22 matches as a member of the Kat defense that posted seven shutouts.

Mallory was a first team all-Southland selection and the Kats' leading scorer for the second year in a row. Both were named to the 2011 Academic All-Conference squad.

The "Most Valuable Player" awards for the 2011-12 sports season were announced at the annual Sam Houston State University spring athletic banquet at the Lowman Student Center Ballroom on April 23.