GVSU's Veach Tabbed "Freshman of the Year," MTU's Barnes Earns "Coach of the Year" Honors
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BAY CITY, Mich. -- Senior forward Katie Cezat (Plymouth, Mich./Canton) of Hillsdale College has been selected as the 2008-09 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) women's basketball "Player of the Year," becoming just the third student-athlete to win the award in back-to-back seasons. Rookie guard Emma Veach (Grand Haven, Mich.) of Grand Valley State University was chosen as "Freshman of the Year." "Coach of the Year" honors went to Michigan Technological University's John Barnes. All three were selected by the GLIAC women's basketball coaches in conjunction with all-conference balloting.
Cezat put together a season for the ages in 2008-09 en route to being named the GLIAC Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Cezat set seven single-season GLIAC records and broke nine single-season school records during a season that saw her average 29.3 points and 17.1 rebounds per game in the regular season. She finished the campaign leading NCAA Division II in rebounds, blocked shots and field goals made, and ranks second in the nation in scoring and free throws made. She was named the WBCA Player of the Month in December and led the Chargers to a school-record 24 wins this season. She was featured in Sports Illustrated Magazine's "Faces in the Crowd" section after compiling the second triple-double in school history, getting 36 points, 20 rebounds and 13 blocked shots vs. Ferris State Dec. 13.
Veach is currently second on the Lakers in scoring (13.4 ppg.) and third in rebounding (5.4 rpg.) while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor. Veach ranks 11th in the GLIAC in scoring, 13th in assists (3.2 apg.), and 16th in rebounding. She has scored in double figures in 20 of 27 games this season, including 20 or more points five times. She has totaled a career-high 25 points on three separate occasions, most recently at #10 Michigan Tech on Jan. 29, when she shot 10-of-19 from the floor and added seven rebounds. Veach has recorded a pair of double-doubles, including a career-high 12 boards against #7 Drury in just the fourth game of her career. She is connecting on 76.8 percent of her free throws and has knocked down a three-pointer in 16 games of her rookie campaign.
Barnes led the Huskies to their second straight GLIAC North Division title with a league-record 19 wins in 2008-09. Tech is 23-5 overall and has been ranked in the nation's top 20 all season long. Barnes, who has a 120-49 career record, has his team in position for a fourth NCAA Tournament berth during his tenure. The sixth-year skipper was also the GLIAC Coach of the Year in 2005-06.
Joining Cezat on the All-GLIAC South Division First Team are: Hillsdale junior guard Brooke Knight; University of Findlay junior guard Audra Mihalic; Northwood University junior forward Jodi Ostergren and NU senior forward Megan Starnes. The All-GLIAC North Division First Team includes: Lake Superior State University senior forward Jaclyn Armstrong; Michigan Tech junior guards Sarah Stream and Katie Zimmerman, and junior forward Katie Wysocky; along with Grand Valley State senior forward Kim Wyngaard.
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
2008-09 Women's Basketball All-Conference Teams and Postseason Awards
Player of the Year: Katie Cezat - Hillsdale College (Sr, F, Plymouth, Mich./Canton)
Freshman of the Year: Emma Veach - Grand Valley State University (Fr, G, Grand Haven, Mich.)
Coach of the Year: John Barnes - Michigan Technological University
GLIAC North Division All-Conference First Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Jaclyn Armstrong Lake Superior State University Sr. F Haslett, Mich.
Sarah Stream Michigan Technological University Jr. G Ishpeming, Mich./Westwood
Kim Wyngaard Grand Valley State University Sr. F Kimberly, Wis.
Katie Wysocky Michigan Technological University Jr. F Whitefish Bay, Wis.
Katie Zimmerman Michigan Technological University Jr. G Green Bay, Wis./East
GLIAC South Division All-Conference First Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Katie Cezat Hillsdale College Sr. F Plymouth, Mich./Canton
Brooke Knight Hillsdale College Jr. G St. John's, Mich.
Audra Mihalic University of Findlay Jr. G Lorain, Ohio/Amherst Steele
Jodi Ostergren Northwood University Jr. F Midland, Mich./Dow
Megan Starnes Northwood University Sr. F Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
GLIAC North Division All-Conference Second Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Danae Danen Michigan Technological University Jr. F. Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon
Kelsey Deacon Northern Michigan University Sr. G Green Bay, Wis.
Teghan Thelen Ferris State University Sr. G Pewamo, Mich./Westphalia
Alyssa VanderWal Lake Superior State University Sr. F Allendale, Mich.
Emma Veach Grand Valley State University Fr. G Grand Haven, Mich.
GLIAC South Division All-Conference Second Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Laura Bardall University of Findlay Fr. G Sugarcreek, Ohio/Garaway
Leanne Lucius Tiffin University Sr. F New Riegel, Ohio
Betsy Morrison Ashland University Sr. F Gahanna, Ohio/Lincoln
Lynsey Warren Ashland University Sr. F Worthington, Ohio/Bishop Watterson
Sarah Glowacki Northwood University Sr. G Freeland, Mich.
GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Tara Ferris Michigan Technological University Jr. G Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial
Ashley Fleming Ferris State University Sr. F Posen, Mich./Rogers City
Ronlea Peterson Lake Superior State University So. G Midland, Mich./Bullock Creek
Alyssa VanderWal Lake Superior State University Sr. F Allendale, Mich.
Elizabeth Van Tiflin Grand Valley State University So. G Saginaw, Mich./Heritage
GLIAC South Division All-Defensive Team
Name School Year Pos. Hometown/High School
Claire Aubrey Hillsdale College Sr. G Birmingham, Mich./Marian
Lisa Graue Ashland University Sr. G Dayton, Ohio/Wayne
Brooke Knight Hillsdale College Jr. G St. John's, Mich.
Karlie LeRoy Northwood University Jr. F Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel
Megan Sellers University of Findlay Jr. F Norwalk, Ohio