Sophomore Kacie Sowell (Ventura, Calif.) has been named the Independent Player of the Week by College Sports Madness for the third time this season after earning Most Valuable Player honors at the 2011 Washington Dental Service Holiday Hoops Tournament.
Last Thursday against Saint Francis, Sowell scored 17 points and pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds as the Redhawks came from behind to defeat the Red Flash, 74-70. One day later, she contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocked shots as Seattle U earned the tournament title with a 75-72 victory over Eastern Michigan.
For the season, Sowell is averaging 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, second on the squad in scoring and first in rebounding. She is shooting 61.5 percent (75-of-122) from the field, sixth in the nation in field goal percentage. Sowell has scored in double figures in all 14 games so far this season, including five double-doubles.
"Kacie has been a very consistent player for us this season. She is at her best when her best is needed," head coach Joan Bonvicini said.
Sowell was previously named Independent Player of the Week by College Sports Madness on both Nov. 28 and Dec. 5. Seattle U has received the weekly honor from the website five times so far this season, with Talisa Rhea (Juneau, Alaska) picking up the recognition Dec. 12 and Dec. 19.
The Seattle University women's basketball team, 8-6 so far in 2011-12, heads to Moscow, Idaho, to face the Idaho Vandals, a future conference foe, this Thursday, Jan. 5, at 5:30 p.m. The Redhawks return home to welcome Colorado State to the Connolly Center Sunday, Jan. 8, beginning at 12 noon.