Duquesne WBB’s McConnell Well Represented In A-10 Awards

The Atlantic 10 Conference released its women’s basketball awards Tuesday afternoon as voted on by the 15 coaches and Duquesne guard Megan McConnell saw her name appear more than anyone.

McConnell was named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, to the All-Conference First, Academic and All-Defensive Teams.

This season McConnell led the A-10 in points per game, assists, ranked second in minutes per game and tied for the most triple doubles. She also ranked second in NCAA Division I with 116 steals and her steals per game were also second in the nation.

McConnell’s points per game rose by 5.7 when compared to a year ago, saw her field goal percentage rise by 3% and her steals increased by 52.

In terms of program history, McConnell ranks third all-time in scoring, second in rebounds, second in steals and second in assists.

Though neither won an award, both Jerni Kiaku and Mackenzie Blackford certainly had to receive some consideration for recognition as well.

Kiaku averaged 12.8 points per game while shooting 47.3% from the field as a guard, which includes 52.6% from two-point range. She is up 6.2 points per game, 2.8% on her field goals and started 28 games versus coming off the bench a season ago.

Blackford, who twice was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, averaged 7.9 points per game, shooting 40.7% from the field, 91.3% from the free-throw line and buried 57 threes.

Below are the awards as voted on by the coaches:

Player of the Year- Maggie Doogan Richmond

Defensive Player of the Year– Megan McConnell Duquesne

Rookie of the Year- Yahmani McKayla Massachusetts

Sixth Woman of the Year- Aleah Snead Saint Joseph’s

Most Improved Player- Paula Suarez George Mason

Coach of the Year- Aaron Roussell Richmond

All-Conference First Team

Megan McConnell Duquesne

Zahirah Walton George Mason

Maggie Doogan Richmond

Rachel Ullstrom Richmond

Mackenzie Smith Saint Joseph’s

Laura Ziegler Saint Joseph’s

All-Conference Second Team

Charlise Dunn Davidson

Arianna Smith Dayton

Kennedy Harris George Mason

Paula Suarez George Mason

Addie Budnik Richmond

Mary-Anna Asare VCU

All-Conference Third Team

Issy Morgan Davidson

Ivy Wolf Dayton

Taylor Donaldson Fordham

Megan Olbrys Massachusetts

Harsimran Kaur Rhode Island

Talya Brugler Saint Joseph’s

All-Academic Team

Megan McConnell Duquesne

Sophie Phillips Rhode Island

Addie Budnik Richmond

Maggie Doogan Richmond

Laura Ziegler Saint Joseph’s

Mary-Anna Asare VCU

All-Defensive Team

Megan McConnell Duquesne

Zahirah Walton George Mason

Anaelle Dutat Rhode Island

Kennedy Calhoun Saint Louis

Mykel Parham VCU

All-Rookie Team

Kyra Bruyndoncx Davidson

Candice Leinafa Davidson

Gabby Reynolds George Washington

Joan Quinn La Salle

Yahmani McKayle Massachusetts

PSN’s Zachary Weiss had a vote in the a10talk awards, and this was how he voted.

Player of the Year- Megan McConnell Duquesne

Defensive Player of the Year- Megan McConnell Duquesne 

Rookie of the Year- Yahmani McKayle Massachusetts

Sixth Woman of the Year- Brooklyn Gray Saint Louis

Most Improved Player- Jerni Kiaku Duquesne

Coach of the Year- Gayle Fulks Davidson

Zac’s All-Conference First Team

Megan McConnell Duquesne

Laura Ziegler Saint Joseph’s

Maggie Doogan Richmond

Zahirah Walton George Mason

Arianna Smith Dayton

Rachel Ullstrom Richmond

Zac’s All-Conference Second Team

Kennedy Calhoun Saint Louis

Ivy Wolf Dayton

Paula Suarez George Mason

Kennedy Harris George Mason

Mackenzie Smith Saint Joseph’s

Talya Brugler Saint Joseph’s

Zac’s All-Conference Third Team

Mary-Anna Asare VCU

Megan Olbrys Massachusetts

Taylor Donaldson Fordham

Charlise Dunn Davidson

Harsimran Kaur Rhode Island

Irene Murua Fordham

Zac’s All-Defensive Team

Megan McConnell Duquesne

Kennedy Calhoun Saint Louis

Mykel Parham VCU

Millie Prior Davidson

Laura Ziegler Saint Joseph’s

Zac’s All-Rookie Team

Yahmani McKayle Massachusetts

Zoe Shaw St. Bonaventure

Gabby Reynolds George Washington

Mackenzie Blackford Duquesne

Candice Leinafa Davidson