The team’s chaplain, Father Natch Ohno, opened the evening with an invocation before Tim Leary, Seattle U Executive Vice President, and Bill Hogan, Seattle U Athletics Director, addressed the attendees. Associate head coach Kristen O’Neill emceed a large portion of the night, honoring each student-athlete, coach, and staff member, especially highlighting Makenna Clark (Lake Tapps, Wash.) and Renee Dillard-Brown (Seattle, Wash.), this year’s senior class.
O’Neill presented awards for the team’s statistical leaders as well as three awards voted upon by the team members and coaches themselves. Crystal Allen (Fort Worth, Texas) was crowned the team’s free throw champion while Taelor Ross (Vancouver, Wash.) earned an award as the rebounds leader and Claire Metoyer (Desoto, Texas) was honored for leading the team in assists.
Kristin Stoffel (Mill Creek, Wash.) was honored as the team’s academic leader, also receiving her Western Athletic Conference All-Academic award alongside teammates Clark and Wilma Afunugo (Plano, Texas). Additionally, Ross and Allen received their Second Team All-WAC and WAC All-Newcomer Team awards, respectively.
The final three awards presented, voted upon by the team and coaches, included Most Improved, MVP, and the Redhawk Award. Dillard-Brown took home the Most Improved honor while Ross was named Team MVP. The Redhawk Award, considered by O’Neill to be the most prestigious, represented the student-athlete who always gave 100% effort, was relentless, a leader, and stood up for what was right no matter what, and was presented to Kaylee Best (Seattle, Wash.).
Seattle U women’s basketball says goodbye to Dillard-Brown and Clark and will look forward to the improvement and growth that the 2015-16 season brings.