Head Coach Kim Rybczyk was named the UCAA Coach of the Year after leading the Red Hawks to a 12-2 UCAA mark in the regular season. The Red Hawks have also won 23 games to set a school record and won the UCAA tournament title on Saturday to lock up the team’s first-ever bid to the NCAA tournament.
In addition to Rybczyk’s award, Guard Holly Nieweem and Forward Melissa Coppola were named to the UCAA All-Conference Second Team. Coppola led the team in both scoring and rebounding with per-game marks of 11.8 and 9.7. She also led the team in blocks and steals. While Coppola dominated down in the paint, Nieweem operated on the perimeter, putting up 10.1 points per game and totaling 57 assists. Forward Kristen Campbell earned honorable mention as she finished with the season scoring 10 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Guard Kristin Kaczynski was named the UCAA Rookie of the Year as she averaged 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists for the season. Kaczynski was previously named the UCAA Rookie of the Week for the weeks that ended on February 5 and 12. During the first of these weeks, Kaczynski averaged 12 points per game. In the second week, she averaged 10.6 points per game.
Forward Caitlin Vestal collected the UCAA Rookie of the Week for the week ending February 19. Vestal averaged 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds to earn the honor.
At the UCAA tournament, several members of the team were recognized for their performances. Guard Karen Wood was named the UCAA Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Campbell and Nieweem both earned All Tournament status.
