Simonds, Stupinski Earn All-America Honors

Kelsey Simonds added All-America to her long list of honors from the 2007-08 season.

Kearney, Neb. - Two of the main catalysts for Stonehill's trip to the NCAA Northeast Regional semifinals, were rewarded with All-America honorable mention honors it was announced by the WBCA at the NCAA Division II Elite Eight Banquet of Champions earlier this week.

Senior Erika Stupinski (Topsham, Maine) and junior Kelsey Simonds (Middleboro, Mass.) both received the honor after leading the Skyhawks to a 27-5 overall record and both Northeast-10 regular season and tournament championships.

Stupinski, who was named second-team All-Northeast-10, led the Conference in assists per game (7.9) to go along with her 9.5 points every time out. A member of the Northeast-10's All-Academic first team, she has eight double-digit assist games, including a season-high 13 in a win over Merrimack. One of her best performances came in a come-from-behind win at Assumption where she pumped in a career-high 21 points and added nine assists and three steals.

The honor for Simonds puts a cap on an amazing recovery for the 6-3 junior. After being named the 2005-06 Northeast-10 Rookie of the Year, she missed the entire 2006-07 season with a twice broken foot. She returned this season to earn two Northeast-10 player of the week awards, first-team All-Northeast-10, Northeast-10 Tournament MVP, Daktronics second-team all-region honors and a spot on the NCAA Northeast Region All-Tournament team. In addition, she finished fourth in the Conference in scoring (17.0), seventh in rebounds (8.0), first in field goal percentage (.554) and blocked shots (2.3). She also set the school record for blocks in a season (73) and is now in sole possession of second place on the program's all-time list (126).

The Skyhawks will return its top three scorers in 2008-09 in Simonds, Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass.) and Megan Methven (Corning, N.Y.).