NAIA ALL-AMERICANS:Richter tops in NAIA
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Vanguard University junior Jessica Richter was named NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, and was one of four Lions’ recognized as All-Americans.
Richter was joined on the first team by senior Kelly Schmidt, who achieved the honor for the third time in her career. She was a second-team honoree as a freshman. Senior Rachel Besse was named to the third team and senior Lacey Burns received honorable mention for Vanguard, which advanced to the semifinals of the National Tournament and finished with a 31-1 record.
Richter, who was named Kodak/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NAIA Player of the Year last week, made the first team for the second consecutive season. The 5-foot-10 guard led the Lions in scoring with a 21.2 average. Richter also had a team high with nearly four steals a game, along with a 5.5 rebound average which was third on Vanguard.
Richter was also second on the team in three pointers (77), free throws (87) and assists (86). Richter was named to the All-Tournament second team.
Schmidt, who has been an All-American each of her four years at Vanguard, was Player of the Year last season. Schmidt finishes her Lions’ career with 2,639 points, claiming the school record in her junior year. Schmidt also leaves with the rebounding record, 1,055, passing the old record in the first round of the tournament.
Schmidt averaged 13.7 points and 6.4 rebounds a game, the latter second on the team.
Besse garnered All-American honors for the third time in her career. Besse averaged 11.3 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds and nearly two blocks a game. Besse leaves Vanguard as the career leader in blocks with 234.
Burns was second on the team with 14.1 points a game. She led the team in three-pointers with 88. With 197 career three-pointers she is third all-time at Vanguard.
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