William Penn Athletics News March 2
William Penn Women's Athletics
Penn Women Denied Nationals Berth, Finish Regular Season 31st
Oskaloosa–A memorable campaign that put the Lady Statesmen basketball program back on the map was not enough to yield valuable national votes as the 11th and final NAIA Division II poll was released today.
Penn (23-10, 12-4 MCC) advanced to Monday’s Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament Finals, but the strong week, including a road win over #2 seed Mount Mercy, did nothing for its final ranking. The team finished 31st (27 votes), dropping three spots and ten votes from the last poll.
The final NAIA Tournament at-large berth went to #27 Southwestern (Kan.), making #28 Minot State (N.D.) the first team out of postseason play and Penn the third (#29 Peru State is also out, while #30 Holy Names-Calif. won its tournament).
The most notable jump came from previously unranked Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio), moving from a tie in 39th all the way to #24, while Peru State advanced four notches.
The lone undefeated Division II team (33-0), Davenport (Mich.) ends the year rated #1 for the eighth week in a row with 405 points and all 15 first-place votes. Northwestern, Morningside, Walsh (Ohio), and Kansas Wesleyan round out the top five.
Midwest Collegiate Conference regular-season and tournament champion St. Ambrose rose two places to #10, while Iowa Wesleyan dropped two to #18. Both will represent the MCC at nationals. Six programs from the state of Iowa finish 2010-2011 in the ranking.
NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball Rating #11 (Final) – March 2, 2011
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
(Iowa Institutions bolded)
1. Davenport (Mich.) (15)
2. Northwestern
3. Morningside
4. Walsh (Ohio)
5. Kansas Wesleyan
6. Sioux Falls (S.D.)
7. Indiana Wesleyan
8. St. Francis (Ind.)
9. Ozarks (Mo.)
10. St. Ambrose
11. Black Hills State (S.D.)
12. Daemen (N.Y.)
13. Sterling (Kan.)
14. Tennessee Wesleyan
15. Marian (Ind.)
16. Indiana-Southeast
17. Briar Cliff
18. Iowa Wesleyan
19. Valley City State (N.D.)
20. Mount Marty (S.D.)
21. Concordia (Ore.)
22. Concordia (Mich.)
23. Cardinal Stritch (Wis.)
24. Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio)
25. Cedarville (Ohio)
Others receiving votes: Cornerstone (Mich.) 50; Southwestern (Kan.) 49; Minot State (N.D.) 36; Peru State (Neb.) 32; Holy Names (Calif.) 28; William Penn 27; Huntington (Ind.) 23; Brescia (Ky.) 23; Milligan (Tenn.) 19; Florida Memorial 19; Jamestown (N.D.) 12; Indiana Northwest 6; Montreat (N.C.) 3; Bethel (Ind.) 1; Grace (Ind.) 1; St. Thomas (Fla.) 1; College of Idaho 1; Corban (Ore.) 1.
Three Selected for All-League Recognition
Oskaloosa–Christa Subbert (Jr., Stanton, Stanton HS) once again found her name on a postseason list, but she was not alone as a total of three Lady Statesmen players were honored on the All-Midwest Collegiate Conference women’s basketball teams.
Subbert was joined on the ten-player first team by Orielle Thomas (Fr., Waynesville, Mo., Waynesville HS), while Samantha Darley (Sr., Gilbert, Ariz., Mesa CC) was one of eight players who took home honorable mentions.
Subbert, a four-time pick (three first teams, one honorable mention), becomes just the second player in school history to earn four all-conference awards, matching Becky Inman from 1984-1987.
The team’s leading scorer at 20.7 points per game, she guided Penn to a 23-10 campaign (12-4 MCC). It was the team’s most successful campaign in regards to wins since going 28-10 in 1981-1982.
The senior was once again one of the best players in the MCC, ranking in the top ten in numerous categories, including being second in scoring average. She was also strong in free-throw percentage (85.1%, 2nd), three-pointers made per game (2.09, 4th), blocked shots per game (0.94, 6th), three-point percentage (35.8%, 8th), and field-goal percentage (44.5%, tenth).
For the season, Subbert topped Penn in many areas, including points (684) as well as all three-point areas (69-193, 35.8%). She also managed 5.2 rebounds per game with 56 assists, 31 blocks, and 59 steals.
The all-time leading scorer in school history with 2,155 points, Subbert recorded 18 games of 20 points or more, including 34 points against Viterbo on January 8. That performance helped her garner Player of the Week honors on January 10.
Thomas put up big numbers as well in her first collegiate campaign. The redshirt freshman averaged 9.8 points and a team-best 8.1 rebounds in addition to 43 assists, 12 blocks, and 38 steals.
She was the fifth-best rebounder in the conference and was seventh in the MCC in field-goal percentage (47.9%). Breaking the rebounding numbers down, Thomas was strong on both ends of the court, ranking fifth in defensive boards (5.67) and sixth in offense caroms (2.39).
Thomas posted a season-high 23 points versus Grand View on January 12.
Darley, also a first-time honoree, put up most of her points from behind the arc, averaging 8.5 points and 2.4 rebounds, while also posting 61 assists, nine blocks, and 32 steals.
One of the best long-range shooters in the MCC, the senior was eighth in three-pointers made per game (1.67) and ninth in percentage (35.3%).
She scored a season-high 17 points against AIB on January 18.
Jennifer Jorgensen of Grand View was named MCC Player of the Year, while Brittany Collier of Clarke claimed MCC Newcomer of the Year laurels. Krista Van Hauen of St. Ambrose received the MCC Coach of the Year award from her peers.
Douglas, Walker Tabbed for All-MCC Teams
Oskaloosa–A pair of Statesmen cagers were honored for strong campaigns as the All-Midwest Collegiate Conference men’s basketball teams were announced by the league office today.
Alan Douglas (Jr., Champaign, Ill., Lakeland CC) was named to the MCC’s ten-player first team, while Blake Walker (Fr., Smyrna, Ga., Campbell HS) was one of nine players that garnered honorable mentions. The honor is the first for both athletes, both of whom were playing in their inaugural MCC seasons.
The team’s leading active scorer at 13.3 points per game, Douglas guided Penn to a 14-16 campaign (6-10 MCC). He also averaged 5.9 rebounds in addition to 52 assists (team high for active players), seven blocks, and 32 steals.
Douglas posted eight 20-plus point games, including a season-high 28 against Spalding (Ky.) on November 19.
The junior ranked eighth in the MCC in scoring and tenth in rebounding. His 30.0 minutes per game were good for fourth among all league players.
Walker was a solid complement to Douglas, averaging 11.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. The freshman also recorded 51 assists, 12 blocks, and a team-best 41 steals (among active players).
He ranked high in several conference categories, including minutes (29.6, 6th), steals per game (1.37, 7th), and offensive rebounds per game (2.43, T-3rd).
Walker reached the 20-point plateau twice, highlighted by a season-best performance of 26 points versus Missouri Valley on November 15.
Mike Kennedy of St. Ambrose was named MCC Player of the Year, while Nate Fuqua of Iowa Wesleyan earned MCC Newcomer of the Year honors. In guiding his team to the regular season crown, IWC’s Alan Magnani was picked as MCC Coach of the Year by his peers.
For the complete 2010-2011 All-MCC Men’s Basketball Teams, click here
