Michelle Ferenz Selected Conference Coach of the Year

Walla Walla, Wash. -- After leading the Whitman Women's basketball team to its first 20 - win season in the program's history and a 13 - 3 conference mark, Missionary head coach Michelle Ferenz has been named the Northwest Conference Coach of the Year. This is the second time Ferenz has received the honor; she was chosen by her peers following the 2003 - 04 season in which Whitman was co-conference champs.

Upon learning of her selection, Ferenz said, "It's always nice when you are recognized by your peers -- the people you respect and work with. I think this is a reflection of where our team was expected to be at the end of the season, and where we actually ended up." The Whits were predicted to finish fourth, instead claiming second place and hosting a first round conference tournament game -- the first time in the program's history

In addition to Coach Ferenz's award, three Whitman players were selected to all-conference teams: post Sarah Anderegg (Jr., Redmond, WA) received First Team honors while point-guard Heather Johns (So., W. Richland, WA) was named to the Second Team and post Meghan White (Huntington Beach, CA) Honorable Mention.

Starting the season as a relatively inexperienced squad, Whitman was in the thick of the conference race from the get-go, knocking off then No. 5 Lewis & Clark in an early conference battle, and having a chance at the conference title going into its final game.

Anderegg resided in the top 5 of conference scorers all season long, finishing with 3rd with a 13.5 per game average, her highest single game output coming at Lewis & Clark when she hit for 30. She also led the conference in field goal percentage all season -- her final number 53.7 %. "I am really thrilled for Sarah", said Ferenz. "She had such a solid year and really stepped into the role of becoming a leading scorer, which we asked of her, and she has improved so much in her decision-making, which is reflected in her field-goal percentage."

After transferring from St. Martins, Johns made a huge impression in her first season, receiving Female Student-Athlete of the Week honors on January 11 after scoring 20 and 16 points in consecutive games. Johns ranked second in conference assists (3.5 per game), eighth in free throw percentage (75 %) and tenth in scoring (11.5). Ferenz said of Johns, "I'm so pleased that Heather got recognized. She did such a great job of stepping in her first season and feeling comfortable, which is especially difficult at the point-guard position. She embraced the challenge."

White finished the season ranked fifth in NWC rebounding (8.1 rpg) and second in blocks (1.2 per game). She grabbed an astounding 19 boards in a home win over Whitworth.  "Meghan works so hard. I wouldn't want to have to try and block her out", said Ferenz. "She embraces her role of providing tough defense and rebounding. What she does is so important to what we do as team."

Other members of the all-conference first team: Kristina Williams (Lewis & Clark) who was also the Player of the Year, Kelsey McKinnis (Puget Sound), Sara Villanueva (Lewis & Clark), Hannah Munger (George Fox) and Emily Travis (Whitworth).

For a complete listing of the NWC All-Conference honors click http://www.nwcsports.com/sports/wbkb/2012-13/releases/WBB_All_NWC_2013.

 

Contact:

Andrew Holt

Whitman Sports Information Director

holtac@whitman.edu

509.527.5902