The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has named New York University's Natalie Bruns its Division III Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Head Coach Meg Barber was honored as Coach of the Year, while Nettie Respondek earned Assistant Coach of the Year accolades.
 
"For the second straight year, the WBCA is pleased to name Natalie Bruns as the 2025 WBCA NCAA Division III Player of the Year," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew.. "She is most deserving of this distinguished honor. The WBCA once again applauds Natalie for her hard work, dedication and contributions to the game during the 2024-25 season."
 
Bruns and senior Belle Pellecchia were named WBCA All-Americans for the second consecutive season, while junior Caroline Peper earned Honorable Mention.

After being a finalist for the awards last year, Barber earned the distinction this year.  
 
"The WBCA is proud to announce Meg Barber as the 2025 recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the WBCA NCAA Division III Coach of the Year," said Donehew. "Meg was chosen for this honor after leading her team to an exceptional season. The WBCA recognizes and applauds her leadership example that can be seen in her student-athletes, institution and community."
 
Bruns' season has included increasing her own NYU record for career blocks (320 and counting), reaching the top-10 on NYU's all-time scoring list (#6 1,626 points and counting) and being named University Athletic Association (UAA) Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Bruns has started all of NYU's 29 games and leads the Violets in scoring (17.2), rebounding (6.2), blocks (83), and assists (150). She is second in steals (65), and field goal percentage (.579). Nationally in NCAA Division III, Bruns is fifth in total blocks and eighth in blocks per game (2.86).  
 
Pellecchia has also reached the top-10 on NYU's all-time scoring list this season (#8 1,468 and counting). Leading the team in steals (106) and field goal percentage (.591), and second in scoring (14.3), she was named UAA Defensive Player of the Year for an unprecedented fourth consecutive season. 
 
Peper leads NYU in three-point pct. (.398) and is third on the team in scoring (11.7). She was also a First Team All-UAA honoree. 
 
Barber (NYU class of 2002), has posted a 148-21 (.876) head coaching record (and counting) at her alma mater, including a perfect 29-0 mark this season. The team's 60-game winning streak dating back to the start of last season is a program record and 10th-longest in NCAA women's collegiate basketball history at any level. Under Barber's guidance this season, NYU currently ranks #1 in NCAA Division III in total points (2,575), assists per game (21.3), field goal pct. (50.8), and scoring margin (38.2). The Violets are #2 in assist/turnover ratio (1.58) and scoring (88.8), #3 in blocks per game (5.7), and #6 in three-point pct. (35.8).
 
Respondek, who has teamed up with Barber since they both began at NYU prior to the 2018-19 season, began as Assistant Coach and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in April 2023.
 
The Violets have advanced to the Final Four for the second consecutive season and will face the University of Wisconsin-Stout, in the National Semifinal on Thursday at 5:00 pm in Salem, VA.