Lucy Olsen headlines Big 5 women’s basketball award winners
Lucy Olsen took home several honors, but St. Joseph’s racked up the most with six across individual and team awards.
Former Villanova guard Lucy Olsen was named the Big 5 player women’s basketball player of the year on Tuesday following her standout junior season.
After leading the Wildcats to the championship game of the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament and finishing third in the nation in scoring (23.3 points per game), Olsen transferred to Iowa in mid-April.
Olsen also took Big 5 awards for leading scorer and most improved player.
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St. Joseph’s racked up the most awards with six. It was headlined by head coach Cindy Griffin taking home coach of the year honors after leading the Hawks to a 28-6 record and the Big 5 title.
Additionally, Penn freshman guard Mataya Gayle won rookie of the year. Gayle finished third on the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game.
Big 5 women’s awards
Player of the year: Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Rookie of the year: Mataya Gayle, Penn
Coach of the year: Cindy Griffin, St. Joseph’s
Most improved player: Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Scholar-athlete of the year: Lizzy Groetsch, Penn
Leading scorer: Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Top free throw shooter: Talya Brugler, St. Joseph’s
All-Big 5 first team:
Lucy Olsen, Villanova
Talya Brugler, St. Joseph’s
Laura Ziegler, St. Joseph’s
Jordan Obi, Penn
Stina Almquist, Penn
Tiarra East, Temple
All-Big 5 second team:
Mackenzie Smith, St. Joseph’s
Mataya Gayle, Penn
Aleah Nelson, Temple
Christina Dalce, Villanova
Bella Runyan, Villanova
All-Big 5 honorable mention:
Nicole Melious, La Salle
Chloe Welch, St. Joseph’s