Collins, Simonds Tabbed As 2005-2006 Northeast-10 Conference Women's Basketball Player, Freshman Of Year

March 2, 2006

Stonehill College junior forward Alisha Collins has been named as the 2005-2006 Northeast-10 Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year for her efforts this season, while Skyhawk freshman forward Kelsey Simonds has been tabbed as the 2005-2006 Northeast-10 Freshman of the Year in a vote of the league's coaches.

Collins, a native of Port Chester, N.Y. and a graduate of Trinity Catholic (Conn.) High School, becomes the sixth Stonehill individual to earn Northeast-10 Player of the Year honors, joining former standouts Julie Stockwell (1998-99), Sue Patchett (1996-97), Michelle Doonan (1993-94 and 1994-95), Mary Naughton (1987-88) and Lesli Laychak (1986-87) in garnering that accolade. A four-time selection as Northeast-10 Player of the Week during the regular season, Collins currently leads the conference in scoring at 17.8 ppg while adding 6.1 caroms per contest, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field for the season. Collins has topped the 20-point plateau on 11 occasions, including a pair of 30-point efforts in wins over Bentley and Merrimack, and she was also a first-team all-conference selection for her performance this winter.

Simonds, a native of Bridgewater, Mass. and a graduate of Cardinal Spellman High School, has been named as the Northeast-10 Freshman of the Week on seven occasions this season, as she has recorded five double-doubles to date and ranks second on the team in scoring at 10.6 ppg while adding a team-best 7.5 rebounds per game. Simonds, who also ranks among the national leaders in blocked shots (1.9 bpg), netted a career-best 25 points in a win over Bryant and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds against UMass Lowell. Simonds becomes the sixth Stonehill individual to earn the nod as the Northeast-10's top rookie, joining former standouts Kristen McDonnell (1999-2000), Patchett (1993-94), Paula Kohs (1988-89), Katy Delaney (1986-87) and Chris Donovan (1983-84).

"These awards are a reflection of the hard work and dedication that Alisha and Kelsey have both demonstrated this season, and I'm proud of their performances and how they have represented Stonehill Basketball," fifth-year Stonehill Head Coach Trisha Brown says of the accolades. "To be recognized in this fashion is not only a reflection on their individual talents, but also on the efforts of their teammates, and I couldn't be happier for both of them."

Stonehill, currently 23-5 overall and ranked 24th in this week's USA Today/ESPN/Women's Basketball Coaches Association Division II national poll, has advanced to the Northeast-10 "Final Four" for the 19th time in 25 seasons and will take on Saint Rose in conference semi-final round play on Friday evening at Southern Connecticut at 6:00 p.m. EST.