Portland, OR – Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (Toronto, ON) has been named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a conference all-star along with two of her teammates.

Erin Chambers (Mission, BC) was named GNAC Defensive Player of the Year and a second team all-star and Kristina Collins (Port Coquitlam, BC) earned a spot on the second team of all-stars as well.

“Our league is filled with outstanding players and for our girls to be recognized is great,” said Head Coach Bruce Langford. “These awards show how far they have all come as players.”  

Senior forward Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (Toronto, ON) headlines this year's GNAC first all-star team, an honour she is receiving for the third year in a row, and was a unanimous selection this season.

Raincock-Ekunwe is only the second woman in conference history to be named to the first all-star team three consecutive years.

The 6'2 forward is the NCAA Division II leader in field goal percentage and also ranks third in rebounding and double-doubles with 18 this season.

Her 18 double doubles this season moved her career total in the GNAC to 59, smashing the previous conference record of 48.

“Nayo has improved her focus and game understanding which has helped her immensely this season,” continued Langford. "For Erin to be recognized on the second team and defensive player of the year is wonderful. She is strong and very competitive, defending big or little with equal ability.”

Chambers led the Clan's conference leading defence that limited their opponents to an average of 55 points per game throughout the season.

She is also an important piece of the Clan's offence, as she is second on the team averaging 13.6 points per game and leads the team in free throw percentage at 0.889.

Senior guard and captain Collins moves up to the second team of all-stars after receiving an honourable mention last season.

This award comes off the heels of her being named to the GNAC All-Academic team earlier this season.

“Kristina's leadership is significant. She has risen to every challenge that she faced this year," finished Langford.

Collins is third on the Clan in scoring this season, averaging 10.2 points per game and is the team leader and third in the conference in assists with 130.

The Clan will now turn their attention to the GNAC playoffs where they will face either Montana State University Billings or Seattle Pacific on Friday, March 8 at 12:00 p.m. in Lacey, WA in the semi-final game.

2012-13 GREAT NORTHWEST ATHLETIC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

First Team: +**Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Simon Fraser (F, 6-2, Sr., Toronto, ON); +*Bobbi Knudsen, Montana State Billings (G, 5-8, Jr., Malta, MT); +Megan Hingston, Northwest Nazarene (F, 5-9, Jr., Keizer, OR); Corinn Waltrip, Western Washington (G, 5-6, Sr., Tigard, OR); Britt Harris, Western Washington (P, 6-2, Sr., Marysville, WA); Katie Benson, Seattle Pacific (P, 6-2, Sr., Snohomish, WA).  +Unanimous *Repeater **Two-time repeater

Second Team: Sasha King, Alaska Anchorage (PG, 5-7, Sr., Norman, OK); Alysa Horn, Alaska Anchorage (F, 6-0, Sr., Kodiak, AK); Kristina Collins, Simon Fraser (G, 5-10, Sr., Port Coquitlam, BC); Erin Chambers, Simon Fraser (G/F, 6-1, So., Mission, BC); Trishi Williams, Western Washington (W, 5-9, Sr., Mabton, WA); Jessica VanDyke, Central Washington (G, 5-9, Jr., Chester, MT)*; Chelsea Haskey, Saint Martin's (F, 6-1, Jr., Olympia, WA).                      

Honorable Mention: Heather Adams, Northwest Nazarene (G, 5-7, Sr., Boise, ID); Aubree Callen, Seattle Pacific (G, 5-9, Jr., Jerome, ID); Jasmine Parker, Central Washington (F, 6-2, Fr., Spokane, WA); Janiel Olson, Montana State Billings (F, 5-9, So., Billings, MT); Kayleen Goggins, Montana State Billings (F, 6-1, So., Shepherd, MT); Chelsie Luke, Northwest Nazarene (G, 5-9, Jr., Meridian, ID); Melissa Fowler, Western Oregon (F, 5-10, Jr., Canby, OR).    

SPECIAL AWARDS: Player-of-the-Year - Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Simon Fraser (F, 6-2, Sr., Toronto, ON). Defensive Player-of-the-Year - Erin Chambers, Simon Fraser (G/F, 6-1, So., Mission, BC). Newcomer-of-the-Year - Kylee Schierman, Northwest Nazarene (G, 5-10, Jr., Portland, OR). Freshman-of-the-Year  - Jessica Madison, Alaska Anchorage (G, 5-8, Fr., Port Angeles, WA). GNAC Coach-of-the-Year – Carmen Dolfo, Western Washington.

Tweet #goclan