The Green Bay Phoenix women’s basketball team saw three players receive recognition on Tuesday afternoon as the Horizon League released its postseason awards. Senior guard Kaili Lukan was named the Defensive Player of the Year as well as the all-league second team and all-defensive team. Mehryn Kraker and Jessica Lindstrom were also tabbed to the all-league second team and all-defensive team, respectively.
Despite running away with its 18th-straight Horizon League Championship and finishing with a four-game lead in the final standings at 16-2, the Phoenix (26-4, 16-2) was again left without a player on the First Team for the third-consecutive year. Green Bay had placed at least one player on the First Team in 15-straight years prior to the two previous seasons, speaking to the balanced attack the Phoenix has employed.
Lukan garnered the program’s first Defensive Player of the Year award since Julie Wojta accomplished the feat in the 2011-12 season. The guard also secured spots on the all-league second team, the second of her career, and all-defensive team.
Kraker was also named to the all-league second team last season, receiving the same honor in 2015-16. The all-defensive team recognition was the first honor for Lindstrom from the Horizon League.
All-League First Team
Kim Demmings, Wright State – Sr.
Ruvanna Campbell, UIC – Sr.
Stephanie Kostowicz, Milwaukee – Soph.
Rosanna Reynolds, Detroit – Jr.
Christine Rousch, Northern Kentucky – Sr.
All-League Second Team
Mehryn Kraker, Green Bay – Jr.
Ashanti Abshaw, Cleveland State – Fr.
Sarah Cash, Youngstown State – Soph.
Olivia Nash, Oakland – Sr.
Kaili Lukan – Green Bay – Sr.
All-Freshman Team
Ashanti Abshaw – Cleveland State
Taylor Jones – Oakland
Emily Vogelpohl – Wright State
Meredith Hamlet – Valparaiso
Molly Glick – Northern Kentucky
All-Defensive Team
Kaili Lukan – Green Bay – Sr.
Brooke Smith – Cleveland State – Jr.
Ruvanna Campbell – UIC – Sr.
Jessica Lindstrom – Green Bay – Soph.
Richelle van der Keijl – Wright State – Jr.
Player of the Year
Kim Demmings – Wright State
Coach of the Year
Kyle Rechlicz – Milwaukee
Freshman of the Year
Ashanti Abshaw – Cleveland State
Defensive Player of the Year
Kaili Lukan – Green Bay
Sixth Person of the Year
Brianne Cohen – Detroit – Soph.
