NEW HAVEN, Conn. (March 1, 2022) -- University of the Sciences standout Jess Huber on Tuesday was named the 2021-22 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women's Basketball Player of the Year, as announced by Commissioner Dan Mara. Huber's honor highlights a list of lengthy award winners in the sport, as voting for the all-conference and major awards was conducted by the league's 13 head coaches in the sport.

In addition to Huber, Chestnut Hill College's Emily Chmiel was named CACC Rookie of the Year, while Thomas Jefferson University's Haley Meinel was named CACC Defensive Player of the Year. Chmiel's coach, Jim Connolly, was named the CACC Coach of the Year, while Goldey-Beacom College was named the CACC Teamsportsmanship Award winner.

Huber ranks second in the league in scoring at 17.7 points per game, while helping to guide USciences to a second-place finish in the South Division. She leads the CACC in total points with 424, while also leading the league in free throw percentage at 86.4 percent. Her 59 three pointers made during the regular season is the third highest total in the CACC. On the defensive end, Huber ranks 10th in blocks with 21. Huber topped 20 points in nine games this season including scoring a career-high 45 points in a win at Goldey-Beacom College on Feb. 15.

Chmiel has been one of the top rookies and defensive players in the league during her collegiate debut season. She ranks among the top 10 in the CACC in several offensive and defensive categories including field goal percentage (5th, 51.9%), free throws made (9th, 71), free throw percentage (10th, 70.3%), offensive rebounds (5th, 85), defensive rebounds (5th, 140), total rebounds (2nd, 225), rebounds per game (8th, 8.0) and blocks (2nd, 46). She helped lead CHC to the CACC South Division Regular Season Championship.

Meinel ranks second in the CACC with 75 steals, while also loggin 19 blocks during the regular season. She helped lead one of the top defensive teams in the CACC, as Jefferson earned the No. 3 seed in the South Region.

Connolly had a terrific regular season leading CHC to the South title. The Griffins are also the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, and are currently ranked in the top 10 in the latest NCAA Division II East Region rankings.

Huber earned first-team status in the all-conference voting, while both Meinel and Chmiel earned second-team honors.

2021-22 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jess Huber (University of the Sciences)

2021-22 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Emily Chmiel (Chestnut Hill College)

2021-22 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Haley Meinel (Thomas Jefferson University)

2021-22 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR
Jim Connolly (Chestnut Hill College)

2021-22 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Goldey-Beacom College

2021-22 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
Anyssa Fields (Georgian Court University)
Sha’Raya Haines (Post University)
Jess Huber (University of the Sciences)
Briana Lee (Felician University)
Taylor Tomlinson (Dominican College)

2021-22 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
Emily Chmiel (Chestnut Hill College)
Haley Meinel (Thomas Jefferson University)
Cassie Murphy (Thomas Jefferson University)
Casey O’Shaughnessy (Caldwell University)
Cassie Sebold (Chestnut Hill College)

2021-22 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM
Bri Hewlett (Chestnut Hill College)
Kendall Keyes (University of the Sciences)
Khay’la Latimer (Dominican College)
Moe Moore (Holy Family University)
Kyla Ramseur (Post University)

ABOUT THE CACC
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference composed of 13 institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The member institutions are Bloomfield College, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican (N.Y.) College, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Nyack College, Post University of Waterbury, Thomas Jefferson University, University of the Sciences, and Wilmington University.