Kaitlin McBride, a senior point guard who guided the UAA women's basketball team into the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament, was named the team's most valuable player Friday at the annual team banquet.
McBride, a second-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference selection from Bothell, Wash., averaged 9.2 points and 4.1 assists for the 27-7 Seawolves. As the season progressed, she became a dangerous scoring threat who put up double figures in 10 of UAA's last 18 games and earned MVP honors at the GNAC tournament.
Also honored:
• Nikki Aden, a senior guard from Portland who was named the team's best defensive player. Often assigned to guard the opponent's biggest offensive threat, Aden spearheaded a defense that ranked fourth in the nation in points allowed per game (53.3). Aden was the co-winner of the award her junior season.
• Kaylie Robison, a junior forward from Sandy, Utah, who won the Coaches Award for commitment to the team concept. Robison, who became a huge contributor and inside force in the second half of the season, came off the bench to average 5.4 points and 5.5 rebounds. Her 47.9 percent shooting was second best on the team.
• Alysa Horn, a sophomore center from Kodiak who was the clear choice for the team's most improved player. After totaling 18 points and 12 rebounds in 53 minutes of play as a freshman, Horn blossomed in her new role as a full-time starter, averaging 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds a game and earning second-team GNAC honors.
• Sarah Herrin, a senior guard from Nikiski who was named Ms. Hustle for the second straight season. A fiery player and crowd favorite, Herrin had the grit needed to take charges, scramble for loose balls and hound opponents defensivley.
• Jordan Martin, a sophomore guard from Anchorage honored as the team's most inspirational player. She appeared in just 14 games but her effort and attitude at practice had a positive impact on others.