Caldwell's Kristen Drogsler Named 2016-17 CACC WBB Player of the Year; All-CACC Teams Announced
|
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (February 24, 2017) -- Caldwell University women's basketball star Kristen Drogsler on Friday was named the 2016-17 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women's Basketball Player of the Year, as announced by Commissioner Dan Mara. In addition to being named the conference's top player, Drogsler also gained a spot on the All-CACC First Team. The voting for the all-conference honorees and major award winners was conducted by the league's 14 head coaches in the sport of women's basketball.
Joining Drogsler as major award winners on Friday were Chestnut Hill College's Shannon Glenn (2016-17 CACC Rookie of the Year), Bloomfield College's Tianna Smith (2016-17 CACC Defensive Player of the Year), Caldwell's Kristina Danella (2016-17 BSN Sports CACC Coach of the Year) and Georgian Court University (2016-17 CACC Team Sportsmanship Award).
Drogsler was nothing short of spectacular during the regular season, as she helped lead Caldwell to a 23-4 overall record and an 18-1 mark in the CACC. The Cougars claimed the league's North Division title and the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming CACC Championship tournament. Caldwell begins its run to a possible sweep of the league's 2016-17 women's basketball titles on Saturday when the Cougars play host to defending conference champ Philadelphia University in the quarterfinals in New Jersey.
Drogsler averaged a CACC-best 21.0 points per game, while also leading the conference in total points (567) and three-pointers made (81). The junior also ranked among the top-10 in field goals made (2nd, 195), three-point percentage (2nd, 44%), assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd, 1.9), free throws made (5th, 96), blocks (6th, 23) and assists (7th, 102).
She scored in double-figures in all but two games this season and topped 20 points 17 times -- going for 20 points or more in each of the first seven contests. Drogsler notched at least 30 points in back-to-back wins over Philadelphia on Feb. 11 (33 pts) and Felician University on Feb. 15 (31 pts).
Glenn became the second CHC freshman in as many seasons to earn the CACC Rookie-of-the-Year award, joining teammate Jaeda Wildgoose, who collected the award during the 2015-16 campaign. Glenn had a strong debut season for the Griffins, as she averaged 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. She became a critical component of Chestnut Hill's offensive attack in the final 11 games of the regular season, as she scored in double-figures in 10 of those outings, including a season-best 26 points against Dominican College on Feb. 4.
Smith's defensive player-of-the-year accolade marked the second major award in her fabulous career, as she was named the league's player of the year last season. Smith was a defensive catalyst for the Bears, as they finished with a 17-2 conference record. She ranked fifth in the CACC with 57 steals and drew nearly 90 charges. Overall, Bloomfield held the opposition to 60 points or less in an incredible 19 games.
Danella was named the BSN Sports Coach of the Year for guiding Caldwell to the CACC North Division title and a No. 4 ranking in the latest NCAA Division II East Region Poll. It marks the second-consecutive season Danella has led the Cougars to a ranking in the regional poll, which determines the field for the NCAA East Region Tournament.
Georgian Court garnered the Team Sportsmanship Award for demonstrating outstanding character and commitment throughout the regular season under head coach Jasmina Perazic. The Lions closed out the season in fine fashion by winning their final two games over CACC powers Philadelphia and Holy Family University.
Drogsler and Smith both achieved All-CACC First-Team status and were met on the top team by three other stars, including Lexi Bruno (Goldey-Beacom College), Zhane Robinson (Bloomfield) and Alex Thomas (University of the Sciences).
Five standouts made the All-CACC Second Team and featured Sarah Abbonizio (USciences), Alliyah Berger (GCU), Britani Bryson (G-B), Jill Conroy (Holy Family) and Sharell Sanders (Caldwell).
The All-CACC Third Team was highlighted by five individuals including Lisa Bouffard (Dominican), Abigail Iannotti (HFU), Caity Kuhnen (CHC), Jessica Rosalbo (Concordia College) and Mary Trossi (CHC).
All of the award winners will be recognized at the CACC Basketball Championship Banquet next Friday in New Jersey, as the event is held on the eve of championship weekend with the men's and women's semifinals on Saturday, followed by both championship finals on Sunday. Caldwell University will serve as the host school for the semifinals and finals next weekend.
2016-17 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kristen Drogsler (Caldwell University)
2016-17 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Shannon Glenn (Chestnut Hill College)
2016-17 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tianna Smith (Bloomfield College)
2016-17 BSN SPORTS CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR
Kristina Danella (Caldwell University)
2016-17 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Georgian Court University
2016-17 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
Lexi Bruno (Goldey-Beacom College)
Kristen Drogsler (Caldwell University)
Zhane Robinson (Bloomfield College)
Tianna Smith (Bloomfield College)
Alex Thomas (University of the Sciences)
2016-17 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
Sarah Abbonizio (University of the Sciences)
Alliyah Berger (Georgian Court University)
Britani Bryson (Goldey-Beacom College)
Jill Conroy (Holy Family University)
Sharell Sanders (Caldwell University)
2016-17 CACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE THIRD TEAM
Lisa Bouffard (Dominican College)
Abigail Iannotti (Holy Family University)
Caity Kuhnen (Chestnut Hill College)
Jessica Rosalbo (Concordia College)
Mary Trossi (Chestnut Hill College)
ABOUT THE CACC
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference composed of 14 institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The member institutions are Bloomfield College, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Concordia (N.Y.) College, Dominican (N.Y.) College, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Nyack College, Philadelphia University, Post University of Waterbury, University of the Sciences, and Wilmington University.