In an unprecedented season in which both New York University's men's and women's basketball teams won outright University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships, the players and coaching staffs were well-recognized in receiving postseason honors.
Where to begin.....
Both men's Head Coach
Dave Klatsky and his assistants, as well as women's Head Coach
Meg Barber and her assistants, were selected UAA Coaching Staffs of the Year. No surprise, really, as the women went undefeated (14-0) and the men posted their best record (13-1) in team history. Oh, and both the women (25-0) and the men (24-1) are currently ranked #1 in the nation.
Individuals?
Let's start with
Natalie Bruns, who was chosen UAA Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, while
Belle Pellecchia won her fourth (yes, fourth) UAA Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Both were also selected First Team All-UAA, as was sharpshooter
Caroline Peper.
Jamie Behar was named Second Team and
Brooke Batchelor earned Honorable Mention as all five starters earned recognition.
On the men's side,
Tristan How made the most of his first season as a Violet by capturing UAA Player of the Year honors along with First Team distinction.
A trio of Violets were named Second Team -
Zay Freeney,
Hampton Sanders,
Brock Susko - while
Jack Stone received Honorable Mention.
"To see these teams and players develop collectively and individually throughout the season, has been nothing short of spectacular," said NYU's Assistant Athletic Director for Communications,
Jeffrey Bernstein. "These honors are absolutely well-deserved and speaks to the kind of seasons they have had. Kudos to all of them for these outstanding achievements."
The women will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament this Friday and Saturday, with the Violets facing Gallaudet University on Friday at 7:30pm at the John A. Paulson Center.
The men will take to the road and face Cortland at 4:50pm in their first-round match-up on Friday. That contest will be hosted by York College in York, PA.
