Queen Creek, AZ – The Academy of Art University duo of senior
Sondra Stilwell and junior
Jessica Nolan tabbed two top post-season awards announced by the Pacific West Conference Media Office.
Both players contributed tremendously this year, as
Stilwell led the Urban Knights in scoring en route to her honorable mention honors while Nolan earned a spot on the conference’s Second Team.
Scoring 11.9 points a game to rank 10th in the conference, senior
Stilwell paced Academy of Art offensively in her final collegiate Season.
"Sondra was so much more than [just] a scorer for us. Sondra led this team in every sense of the word. In practice, games, on the road and in the classroom, she was the ipitomy of a student athlete.", said Head Coach Lindsey Yamasaki.
With all the roles the senior held on the team she still managed an impressive final season resume. On the whole,
Stilwell shot 45% from the field earning her a ninth place ranking among fellow PacWest opponents, fourth in assists (3.9 ppg), and ninth in steals.
Stilwell scored in double-figures 16 times including three 20 plus point performances. She had a season-best 27 points against Cal State East on December 9, 2009. Coach Yamasaki added, "I am so proud of her and I am happy that she was recognized".
Another all around force for the Urban Knights was transfer student
Jessica Nolan. The junior led all Pac
West players in rebounding to become the only Academy of Art player named to the Pac West Second Team. "Jessica Nolan is flat out talented. We relied on her for so much this season and I anticipate that we'll rely on her even more next year", said Coach Yamasaki. Her 8.6 rebounds a game ranked first in the conference. She ranked first in defensive rebounds (5.9 per game) and eighth in offensive rebounds (2.7 per game).
Overall,
Nolan shot 50% from the floor, which ranked her fifth in the conference, eighth in assists, 11th in steals and 11th in blocks. "I am glad her well rounded game was recognized; I expect a lot more attention and recognition for her in her senior season", Coach Yamasaki said of the nominee.
Nolan poured in a career high of 27 points against Dominican University on February 18, 2010. She reached double figures in scoring 14 times this season and double digits in rebounds 13 times, and had 10 double-doubles, finishing on a five game streak. Coach Yamasaki closed with this,"Jess is such a great person, I'm excited to see where her hard work will take her; the sky is definitely the limit!"