2009-10 SEASON CAPSULE

The 2009-2010 Women's Basketball total team mentality certainly emphasized their “Believe in We” campaign. From the first conference game to the last, Avila challenged the Heart of America Conference powerhouses and exceeded expectations. It was never more apparent than when playing the last regular season game against Evangel without Alyson Young, the leading scorer and rebounder who was out because of an injury. With a tremendous team effort, the Eagle's knocked off the Crusaders 63-61 preventing them from winning the HAAC and allowing the Eagle's to finish third! The Eagle's finished the season with a record of 19-12 bringing Head Coach Larry Williams overall record to 78-47 in his four years.

Seniors Jaime Kenney and Liz Vollmer led the Eagles nine returning letterman into battle throughout the year. Together, the ladies learned productive ways in which to best utilize each other's talents on and off the court. Spending the season in the upper echelon of NAIA Division I statistics, Avila ended the season as the third best team in the Total Rebound Defense (30.9) and Free Throw Percentage (77%), fourteenth in 3 pt. FG % (36%), sixteenth in 3 pt. FG made (6.8), and sixteenth in total FG % (44.2%). In the HAAC, the team finished #1 in 3 pt FG%, #2 in FT%, #2 in total FG%, #2 in 3 pt FG made, #2 in Reb margin, #3 in total defensive FG% and #3 in 3 pt FG defensive. Statistics however, could not speak to the chemistry the girls exuded on the court. Regardless of rotation or starting line-up, the Eagles meshed flawlessly in efforts to outplay and outwit their opponents.

Although deep-seeded in teamwork philosophy, several players had stand-out seasons. Alyson Young was first in the Heart of America Conference and first in the nation with an amazing field goal percentage of 61.1%, second in scoring (18.27) and 5 th in rebounding (7.87) as she also surpassed the 1000 point plateau. Alyson was named to the HAAC All-Conference First-Team and was an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. Torie Murillo was named to the Third Team All-Conference as she led the league in steals with 3.10 per game and 3 rd in assists with 4.27 per game. Jaime Kenney finished #1 in the HAAC in 3pt FG% with a 40.7% and averaged 13.0 per game was an Honorable Mention All-Conference member along with Courtney Gimlin who finished #2 in 3pt FG% (39.8%) and averaged 12.8 pts per game, rounding out Avila's contingent in the Heart.

Avila Women's Basketball will greatly miss the leadership and dedication brought forth by Jaime Kenney. Her contributions to the entire program on the court and in the classroom will be remembered for years as she was honored for being named to the NAIA Academic All-American Team. Liz Vollmer contributions over the last four years are not shown in the box scores, but her unselfishness to do what was best for the team will always be recognized. The Eagle's return eleven enthusiastic players for next year who are full of vigor and drive and will be pushing to reach the conference pinnacle again. As Avila Women's Basketball continues to “Believe in We”, so too will the conference continue to witness their strength for the 2010-11 season.