Six Blazers Receive MIAC Awards

03/06/2008

The College of Saint Benedict basketball team finished the season with an 18-4 conference record and went 20-6 overall. When the MIAC released its annual awards, it was apparent that many Blazers contributed to the team’s success. The six Blazers honored with MIAC awards represent every academic class, from first-year to senior.

Senior forward Judy Falvey (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville High School) was named the MIAC’s 2007-08 Sixth Player of the Year. Falvey averaged 8.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game coming off of the bench. Her role on and off the court was an integral part of CSB’s success this season. Falvey often entered, or re-entered, the game when the Blazers were in need of energy and experience to give them a boost. Fellow senior, wing Mackenzie O’Neil (Waseca, Minn./Waseca High School), was named to the MIAC All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive season. O’Neil ranked No. 6 in the conference with 2.3 steals per game. Her awareness on defense, combined with quick hands, made O’Neil one of the conference’s best defenders.

Voted to the MIAC All-Conference team was sophomore wing Mindy Schmidt (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park High School). A member of the MIAC’s All-First Year team last season, Schmidt stepped into an even larger role for CSB this season. She averaged 13.5 points, which was No. 12 in the MIAC, and 3.2 rebounds per game. Her consistent production was a large part of the Blazer offense. Schmidt also ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the conference for free throw percentage and three-point field goal percentage, respectively.

The junior class was represented by the Edina natives, forward Ariel Tauer (Edina, Minn./Edina High School) and point guard Nikki Carter (Edina, Minn./Edina High School). Tauer was named an All-MIAC Honorable Mention for the second straight season. Her .592 field goal percentage was No.1 in the conference. She also averaged 9.6 points and 4.2 rebounds. Carter joined Tauer on the list of Honorable Mentions. She averaged 3.3 assists per game, but it was her assist-to-turnover ratio that was even more impressive. Carter led the MIAC with 2.6 assists per turnover; her closest competitor finished with a 1.3 ratio. Carter also represented CSB on the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.

In her initial season as a Blazer, first-year post Danielle Frank (Caledonia, Minn./Caledonia High School) was named an All-MIAC Honorable Mention and selected to the MIAC All-First Year Team. Frank, who averaged 8.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.4 blocked shots per game, made an immediate impact for the Blazers. Her averages landed her in the No. 3 and No. 2 spots in the MIAC for the respective categories.

With CSB’s entire starting lineup and first player off of the bench all receiving MIAC awards, it is obvious that the Blazers success was truly a team effort.

MIAC Awards | Basketball | CSB Sports

Athletic Department
College of Saint Benedict
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