College Sports Madness Preseason All-Independent Team
For the first time since reclassifying back to full NCAA Division I status, the Seattle University women's basketball team earned preseason recognition accolades. The Redhawks placed five players on the College Sports Madness All-Independent Preseason Conference team, including sweeping the top honors.
"I am very pleased we are beginning to get recognized. We've had good recruiting classes the last few years, our staff and players are working hard, and overall we are happy that people are looking at us," said head coach Joan Bonvicini.
Bonvicini led the way by being named Independent Coach of the Year. The preseason honor is her first since taking over the helm of the program in August 2009. The third season head coach owns a .648 career winning percentage and has been integral in guiding the program through the transition from DII to DI.
Senior point guard Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.), who was named to the Canadian World University Games roster this past summer, was named Independent Player of the Year and to the All-Independent First Team. Last season, Kerfoot was the team's offensive leader, averaging 13.7 points per game and scoring in double figures in 24 of SU's 30 games.
True freshman Renee Dillard-Brown (Seattle, Wash.) earned the final top preseason honor, being named Independent Freshman of the Year. Forward Dillard-Brown comes to Seattle U from nearby Garfield High School, where she was an All-KingCo selection throughout her four-year career.
Sophomore Ashley Ward (Irvine, Calif.) was named to the All-Independent First Team, following a solid freshman campaign. She is the team's second top returning scorer, averaging 6.5 points per game. Ward also moved into the starting lineup towards the end of the season, seeing action in all 30 games and starting 11.
Junior Daidra Brown (Seattle, Wash.) and senior Amani Butler (Corona, Calif.) rounded out SU's preseason honors, earning Second Team All-Independent accolades. Brown became an immediate impact player after transferring to SU last season and was ranked No. 7 in the nation in steals per game, averaging 3.2. Butler, who saw action in 26 games, starting 10, was also all-around contributor, averaging 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
Seattle U will open the 2011-12 campaign with an exhibition game on Wednesday, Nov. 2, versus Puget Sound in the Connolly Center. Tip is slated for 7 p.m. The Redhawks open the regular season at home on Friday, Nov. 11, versus UC Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. To purchase season and single game tickets, please contact the Seattle U Ticket Office at 206-398-GOSU.
College Sports Madness All-Independent Preseason Conference Team
Joan Bonvicini - Independent Coach of the Year
Elle Kerfoot - Independent Player of the Year/First Team All-Independent
Renee Dillard-Brown - Independent Freshman of the Year
Ashley Ward - First Team All-Independent
Daidra Brown - Second Team All-Independent
Amani Butler - Second Team All-Independent