ATLANTA (March 16, 2020) – Stephanie Soares, of The Master’s University, is the 2020 WBCA NAIA Player of the Year and headlines the 2020 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America team, announced by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association today.
Soares, a 6-6 sophomore guard from Sao Paulo, Brazil, averaged 20.7 points and 13.6 rebounds this season. She led NAIA Division 1 in both blocks (151) and double-doubles (24). Soares was recently named both the Golden State Athletic Conference Player and Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. She was also selected to the WBCA NAIA All-America team in 2019.
“Congratulations to WBCA NAIA Player of the Year Stephanie Soares and the members of the WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America team,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle M. Donehew. "These young women have performed at an elite level of play throughout the season, and have inspired fans and young athletes alike. The WBCA is proud to honor each of these student-athletes whose dedication and commitment to the sport has helped elevate our game to a new level.”
The WBCA presents the Player of the Year award annually to the top player in five of the six WBCA membership divisions (NCAA Divisions II, and III, NAIA, two-year college and high school). The Player of the Year and the 10-member Coaches’ All-America team in each division are selected by a committee of WBCA member coaches in that division. The Wade Trophy is presented to the best player in NCAA Division I.
Here are the 2020 WBCA NCAA NAIA Coaches’ All-Americans:
|
Name |
School |
|
Kaila Anthony |
Loyola University (LA) |
|
Kaitlin Aylward |
University of St. Francis |
|
Kynedi Cheeseman |
Dakota Wesleyan University |
|
Haylee Croom |
Freed-Hardeman University |
|
Bailey Cummins |
Shawnee State University |
|
Madison Faulkner |
Campbellsville University |
|
Abby Oliver |
College of the Ozarks |
|
Abby Selzer |
Oklahoma City University |
|
Stephanie Soares |
The Master’s University |
|
Reagan Turner |
Lindsey Wilson College |
Here are the student-athletes who received 2020 WBCA NCAA NAIA Coaches’ All-America honorable mention:
|
Name |
School |
|
Jordan Alford |
Columbia College (MO) |
|
Reyna Ammons |
University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma |
|
Tianna Ayulo |
Johnson & Wales University (FL) |
|
Becca Buchs |
Taylor University |
|
Victoria Chea |
Vanguard University |
|
Abby Downard |
Marian College |
|
Parker Esary |
University of Providence |
|
Chanel Fanter |
Saint Xavier University |
|
Sarah Fryman |
Huntington University |
|
Savannah Gregory |
Campbellsville University |
|
Amanda Hill |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
|
Kelcey Hinz |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
|
Morgan Martin |
Bethel University (TN) |
|
Morgan McKinney |
Northwest Christian University |
|
Brianna Mueller |
Lindenwood University – Belleville |
|
Joy Sadler |
Middle Georgia State University |
|
Abby Schmidt |
Bethel College (KS) |
|
Emily Schultz |
Thomas More University |
|
Tyasia Willis |
Bethel University (TN) |
|
Miranda Zaragoza |
William Jessup University |
About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit www.WBCA.org for more details about the Association.
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