Eastern Michigan Athletics
Women's Basketball Places Three on Academic All-MAC Team
4/21/2021 9:22:00 AM | Women's Basketball
A total of 60 student-athletes from around the conference were honored
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Three student-athletes from the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team's 2020-21 roster were selected to the All-Mid-American Conference Academic team, the league office announced today, April 21.
Juniors Jenna Annecchiarico (Baldwin, N.Y.-Baldwin) and Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson) got the nod for the second time in as many years and in their respective careers, while redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International)) collected the honor for the first time with the Green and White.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics over the course of the 2020-21 year. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport.
Kent State led the MAC with eight student-athletes named to the squad. Bowling Green's Madisen Parker, Kent State's Annie Pavlansky, and NIU's Janae Poisson all led the team with a 4.0 GPA.
Annecchiarico again proved to be one of the best distributors in the league in 2020-21. She led the team with a 3.5 assists per game average, and ranked third in the MAC with a 1.64 assist-to-turnover ratio. Her assist totals were the 11th-best in the conference. A consistent presence on the court, she played more minutes per game than almost any other player in the league, finishing second in that category with 37.3 minutes logged per game. That number ranked 12th in the nation. Annecchiarico scored 9.7 points per game last season to rank third on the team.
Pineda had a great 2020-21 campaign in her third season as a member of the team. She averaged a career-best 27.6 minutes per game and made a career-high 16 starts on the season. One of the best free throw shooters on the club, Pineda shot a career-high 78.6% from the stripe in 2020-21, a number that helped her average a career-high 5.0 points per game. The team's leader in three-point percentage, Pineda shot 31 percent from deep last season, had two games with three-or-more made shots from deep, and recorded five games with 10+ points, a career-best. She led the team's three-point efforts in four contests.
Skanes was one of the league's breakout stars in 2020-21. In addition to averaging 16.0 points per game and 10.9 rebounds, one of only a handful of student-athletes in the MAC to average a double-double, she was impressive in numerous other areas. The team's leader in blocked shots, Skanes averaged 1.1 per game as a redshirt sophomore. She recorded 19 double-digit scoring efforts, which led the team, and had six games with 20+ points. On the boards, she finished with 13 double-digit efforts, and led the squad in rebounding 16 times. She recorded a team-best 12 double-doubles, which was second in the MAC and the most of any underclassman in the conference. Skanes finished third in the MAC with a 49.4 field goal percentage, and was 26th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (3.8).
Head Coach Fred Castro and the rest of the 2021-22 Eastern Michigan roster will complete their summer workout schedule before returning to practice in preparation for the beginning of the season this fall. Full schedule details will be made available in the coming months.
Fans are encouraged to follow EMUEagles.com and @EMUWBB on social media to stay up-to-date on all things EMU women's basketball.
Complete 2020-21 Academic All-MAC Team for Women's Basketball
Emma Tecca, Akron, Fr. (R), Business, 3.795
Rachel Martindale, Akron, So., Business Administration, 3.706
Layne Ferrell, Akron, Fr. (R), Sport Management, 3.545
Molly Neitzel, Akron, So., Sales Management, 3.461
Kendall Miller, Akron Jr., Integrated Mathematics, 3.349
Colleen Neitzel, Akron, Jr., Public Relations, 3.329
Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell, Akron, Jr., Exercise Science, 3.215
Thelma Dis Agustsdottir, Ball State, Junior, Actuarial Science, 3.552
Anna Clephane, Ball State, Redshirt-sophomore, Biology and Communications, 3.309
Annie Rauch, Ball State, Sophomore, Dietetics, 3.830
Blake Smith, Ball State, Junior, Undecided, 3.543
Estel Puiggros, Ball State, Sophomore, Education, 3.317
Loren Christie, Buffalo, Sophomore, Finance 3.39
Elea Gaba, Buffalo,Sophomore, Graphic Design, 3.637
Hanna Hall, Buffalo, Senior, Psychology, 3.791
Jessika Schiffer, Buffalo, Sophomore, Media Studies 3.874
Keowa Walters, Buffalo, Junior, Communication, 3.364
Clare Glowniak, Bowling Green, R-Senior, MBA, 3.684
Kadie Hempfling, Bowling Green, Junior, Psychology, 3.868
Madisen Parker, Bowling Green, Senior, Middle Childhood Education, 4.000
Angela Perry, Bowling Green, Senior, Biology, 3.690
Kyra Bussell, Central Michigan, Senior, Exercise Science & Psychology, 3.97
Molly Davis, Central Michigan, Sophomore, Exercise Science, 3.89
Sophia Karasinski, Central Michigan, Junior, Exercise Science, 3.55
Kalle Martinez, Central Michigan, Junior, Physical Activity, 3.38
Maddy Watters, Central Michigan, Senior, Marketing & Logistics Management, 3.94
Jenna Annecchiarico, Eastern Michigan, Junior, Sports Performance and Fitness, 3.31
Natalia Pineda, Eastern Michigan, Junior, Biology, 3.71
Ce'Nara Skanes, Eastern Michigan, Redshirt sophomore, Therapeutic Recreation, 3.37
Peyton Scott, Miami, So., Sports Leadership and Management, 3.73
Kelly McLaughlin, Miami, Sr., Psychology, 3.9
Kenzie Schmitz, Miami, Sr., Supply Chain and Management, 3.99
Taylor Boruff, Miami, R-Fr., Sports Leadership and Management, 3.36
Amani Freeman, Miami, So., Public Health, 3.78
Abbey Hoff, Miami, Sr., Kinesiology and Health, 3.93
Nila Blackford, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.393, Communication Studies
Clare Kelly, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.708, Sport Administration
Linsey Marchese, Kent State, Redshirt Junior, 3.738, Criminology & Justice Studies
Mariah Modkins, Kent State, Junior, 3.608, Fashion Merchandising
Annie Pavlansky, Kent State, Junior, 4.00, Middle Childhood Education
Katie Shumate, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.600, Biology
Lindsey Thall, Kent State, Junior, 3.376, Biology/Pre-Med
Hannah Young, Kent State, Junior, 3.784, Physical Education
Janae Poisson, NIU, RS-Junior, Psychology, 4.0
Grace Hunter, NIU, Sophomore, Marketing, 3.979
Chelby Koker, NIU, Sophomore, Health Science-Pre-Physical Therapy, 3.938
A'Jah Davis, NIU, Sophomore, Kinesiology, 3.87
Riley Blackwell, NIU, Senior, Accountancy, 3.853
Paulina Castro, NIU, RS-Senior, Kinesiology, 3.513
Mikayla Brandon, NIU, Junior, Psychology, 3.466
Caitlyn Kroll, Ohio, redshirt junior, sports administration, 3.5556
Madi Mace, Ohio, redshirt freshman, undecided, 3.312
Abby Garnett, Ohio, redshirt sophomore, communication studies, 3.235
Yaniah Curry, Toledo, Fr. (R), Spanish, 3.981
Jaela Johnson, Toledo, So., Psychology, 3.320
Mali Morgan-Elliott, Toledo, So., Visual Arts, 3.256
Sophia Wiard, Toledo, So., Pre-Business, 3.816
Ashley Konkle, Western Michigan, Sophomore, Biomedical Sciences, 3.39
Maddie Watters, Western Michigan, Junior, Accountancy, 3.90
Taylor Williams, Western Michigan, Redshirt Freshman, Biomedical Sciences, 3.54
Juniors Jenna Annecchiarico (Baldwin, N.Y.-Baldwin) and Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson) got the nod for the second time in as many years and in their respective careers, while redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International)) collected the honor for the first time with the Green and White.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics over the course of the 2020-21 year. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport.
Kent State led the MAC with eight student-athletes named to the squad. Bowling Green's Madisen Parker, Kent State's Annie Pavlansky, and NIU's Janae Poisson all led the team with a 4.0 GPA.
Annecchiarico again proved to be one of the best distributors in the league in 2020-21. She led the team with a 3.5 assists per game average, and ranked third in the MAC with a 1.64 assist-to-turnover ratio. Her assist totals were the 11th-best in the conference. A consistent presence on the court, she played more minutes per game than almost any other player in the league, finishing second in that category with 37.3 minutes logged per game. That number ranked 12th in the nation. Annecchiarico scored 9.7 points per game last season to rank third on the team.
Pineda had a great 2020-21 campaign in her third season as a member of the team. She averaged a career-best 27.6 minutes per game and made a career-high 16 starts on the season. One of the best free throw shooters on the club, Pineda shot a career-high 78.6% from the stripe in 2020-21, a number that helped her average a career-high 5.0 points per game. The team's leader in three-point percentage, Pineda shot 31 percent from deep last season, had two games with three-or-more made shots from deep, and recorded five games with 10+ points, a career-best. She led the team's three-point efforts in four contests.
Skanes was one of the league's breakout stars in 2020-21. In addition to averaging 16.0 points per game and 10.9 rebounds, one of only a handful of student-athletes in the MAC to average a double-double, she was impressive in numerous other areas. The team's leader in blocked shots, Skanes averaged 1.1 per game as a redshirt sophomore. She recorded 19 double-digit scoring efforts, which led the team, and had six games with 20+ points. On the boards, she finished with 13 double-digit efforts, and led the squad in rebounding 16 times. She recorded a team-best 12 double-doubles, which was second in the MAC and the most of any underclassman in the conference. Skanes finished third in the MAC with a 49.4 field goal percentage, and was 26th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (3.8).
Head Coach Fred Castro and the rest of the 2021-22 Eastern Michigan roster will complete their summer workout schedule before returning to practice in preparation for the beginning of the season this fall. Full schedule details will be made available in the coming months.
Fans are encouraged to follow EMUEagles.com and @EMUWBB on social media to stay up-to-date on all things EMU women's basketball.
Complete 2020-21 Academic All-MAC Team for Women's Basketball
Emma Tecca, Akron, Fr. (R), Business, 3.795
Rachel Martindale, Akron, So., Business Administration, 3.706
Layne Ferrell, Akron, Fr. (R), Sport Management, 3.545
Molly Neitzel, Akron, So., Sales Management, 3.461
Kendall Miller, Akron Jr., Integrated Mathematics, 3.349
Colleen Neitzel, Akron, Jr., Public Relations, 3.329
Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell, Akron, Jr., Exercise Science, 3.215
Thelma Dis Agustsdottir, Ball State, Junior, Actuarial Science, 3.552
Anna Clephane, Ball State, Redshirt-sophomore, Biology and Communications, 3.309
Annie Rauch, Ball State, Sophomore, Dietetics, 3.830
Blake Smith, Ball State, Junior, Undecided, 3.543
Estel Puiggros, Ball State, Sophomore, Education, 3.317
Loren Christie, Buffalo, Sophomore, Finance 3.39
Elea Gaba, Buffalo,Sophomore, Graphic Design, 3.637
Hanna Hall, Buffalo, Senior, Psychology, 3.791
Jessika Schiffer, Buffalo, Sophomore, Media Studies 3.874
Keowa Walters, Buffalo, Junior, Communication, 3.364
Clare Glowniak, Bowling Green, R-Senior, MBA, 3.684
Kadie Hempfling, Bowling Green, Junior, Psychology, 3.868
Madisen Parker, Bowling Green, Senior, Middle Childhood Education, 4.000
Angela Perry, Bowling Green, Senior, Biology, 3.690
Kyra Bussell, Central Michigan, Senior, Exercise Science & Psychology, 3.97
Molly Davis, Central Michigan, Sophomore, Exercise Science, 3.89
Sophia Karasinski, Central Michigan, Junior, Exercise Science, 3.55
Kalle Martinez, Central Michigan, Junior, Physical Activity, 3.38
Maddy Watters, Central Michigan, Senior, Marketing & Logistics Management, 3.94
Jenna Annecchiarico, Eastern Michigan, Junior, Sports Performance and Fitness, 3.31
Natalia Pineda, Eastern Michigan, Junior, Biology, 3.71
Ce'Nara Skanes, Eastern Michigan, Redshirt sophomore, Therapeutic Recreation, 3.37
Peyton Scott, Miami, So., Sports Leadership and Management, 3.73
Kelly McLaughlin, Miami, Sr., Psychology, 3.9
Kenzie Schmitz, Miami, Sr., Supply Chain and Management, 3.99
Taylor Boruff, Miami, R-Fr., Sports Leadership and Management, 3.36
Amani Freeman, Miami, So., Public Health, 3.78
Abbey Hoff, Miami, Sr., Kinesiology and Health, 3.93
Nila Blackford, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.393, Communication Studies
Clare Kelly, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.708, Sport Administration
Linsey Marchese, Kent State, Redshirt Junior, 3.738, Criminology & Justice Studies
Mariah Modkins, Kent State, Junior, 3.608, Fashion Merchandising
Annie Pavlansky, Kent State, Junior, 4.00, Middle Childhood Education
Katie Shumate, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.600, Biology
Lindsey Thall, Kent State, Junior, 3.376, Biology/Pre-Med
Hannah Young, Kent State, Junior, 3.784, Physical Education
Janae Poisson, NIU, RS-Junior, Psychology, 4.0
Grace Hunter, NIU, Sophomore, Marketing, 3.979
Chelby Koker, NIU, Sophomore, Health Science-Pre-Physical Therapy, 3.938
A'Jah Davis, NIU, Sophomore, Kinesiology, 3.87
Riley Blackwell, NIU, Senior, Accountancy, 3.853
Paulina Castro, NIU, RS-Senior, Kinesiology, 3.513
Mikayla Brandon, NIU, Junior, Psychology, 3.466
Caitlyn Kroll, Ohio, redshirt junior, sports administration, 3.5556
Madi Mace, Ohio, redshirt freshman, undecided, 3.312
Abby Garnett, Ohio, redshirt sophomore, communication studies, 3.235
Yaniah Curry, Toledo, Fr. (R), Spanish, 3.981
Jaela Johnson, Toledo, So., Psychology, 3.320
Mali Morgan-Elliott, Toledo, So., Visual Arts, 3.256
Sophia Wiard, Toledo, So., Pre-Business, 3.816
Ashley Konkle, Western Michigan, Sophomore, Biomedical Sciences, 3.39
Maddie Watters, Western Michigan, Junior, Accountancy, 3.90
Taylor Williams, Western Michigan, Redshirt Freshman, Biomedical Sciences, 3.54
Players Mentioned
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