Nazareth's Rachel Benedict Tabbed E8 Player of the Year as Women's Basketball Awards are Announced

2/21/2019 2:53:18 PM

 
Nazareth's Rachel Benedict was named the 2018-19 Empire 8 Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year as the league announced it's major award winners and all-conference teams today. Benedict had an outstanding season for the Golden Flyers as she is currently averaging a 'double-double' in points and rebounds. St. John Fisher's Erin Hulbert was named Defensive Player of the Year, while Stevens' Jess Broad earned Rookie of the Year, and the Hartwick staff, led by Katie Marcella was honored as the E8 Coaching Staff of the Year. 

For the compete list of award winners and all-conference honorees, please see below. The awards are selected by the league's head coaches. The league also announced the recipients of the Sportsman of the Year honors.

CLOSER LOOK
Benedict, who helped lead Nazareth to a 13-3 mark in conference play this winter, currently leads the league in scoring with her 17.8 points per game average, while her 11.0 rebounds per contest is second-best. A five-time conference player of the week selection, Benedict is also among the league leaders in: field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three-point shots made per game. The former E8 Rookie of the Year was also named a First Team All-Conference selection for the second-consecutive season 

Fisher's Hulbert was recognized as the conference's Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season as she helped lead the Cardinals to another postseason berth. Hulbert has spearheaded a defense that currently leads the E8 in points allowed at just over 55 per outing. She's also recorded 51 steals, which is currently fifth-best overall. The senior is also chipping in with just over nine points and six rebounds per game. Hulbert was also named a First Team All-Conference selection.

Stevens' Broad was tabbed as the conference's Rookie of the Year by the conference's head coaches. The first-year forward is currently among the league leaders in points per game (14.2) and rebounds per game (5.8). She's also shooting better than 47% from the field which is fourth-best among E8 student-athletes. Broad was also recognized as a Second Team All-Conference honoree.

The Hartwick coaching staff, led by Marcella, was recognized as the Coaching Staff of the Year by the league's coaches. The Hawks earned the E8 Regular Season title after posting a 14-2 mark in league play, while posting a 21-4 record heading into postseason play. They've won 14 of their last 15 games overall and will host this weekend's E8 Conference tournament. In addition, three Hartwick student-athletes - Caitlin Corbett, Carly Johnson, and Maggie Kirby - earned All-Conference accolades. 

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR TEAM
One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2018 Women's Basketball Sportsman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportsmen.

Player of the Year - Rachel Benedict, Nazareth
Defensive Player of the Year - Erin Hulbert, St. John Fisher
Rookie of the Year - Jess Broad, Stevens 
Coaching Staff of the Year - Hartwick

1st Team All-Conference
Caitlin Corbett, Hartwick
Rachel Benedict, Nazareth 
Emily Parslow, Sage
Erin Hulbert, St. John Fisher 
Anna Toke, Stevens 

2nd Team All-Conference
Carly Johnson, Hartwick
Brittany Lenart, Houghton
Jadyn Abrams, Nazareth
Jess Broad, Stevens
Sydney Przygoda, Utica

Honorable Mention 
Lindsey Heaton, Elmira
Maggie Kirby, Hartwick
Cori Beck, Houghton
Megan Flynn, Sage
Ella Eckert, St. John Fisher
Nicolette Conkin, Utica

Sportsman of the Year
Mandy Skeet, Alfred
Sally Hogan, Elmira
Molly Kirby, Hartwick
Madison Detwiler, Houghton
Isabella Gjonaj, Nazareth
Danielle Stannard, Sage
Leah Koonmen, St. John Fisher 
Sydney Wind, Stevens 
Alayna Cormier, Utica

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com and https://youtu.be/wzL4HcDoUUQ