Following a vote by the league's head coaches at the conclusion of the regular season, the Liberty League announced its 2023-24 Women's Basketball Major Awards and All-League teams.
PLAYER AND DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Julia Blanck, Senior, Forward, Skidmore College
Skidmore College senior forward Julia Blanck was recognized as the Liberty League Women’s Basketball Player and Defensive Player of the Year. She becomes the first Liberty League basketball player to sweep both awards. Blanck played in 25 games this season for the Thoroughbreds, averaging a team-best 25.3 minutes per game. She also paced the team in points (330), points per game (13.2), rebounds (257), rebounds per game (10.3), field goal percentage (.452), and free throws made (89). Additionally, she led Skidmore in steals (44) and blocks (56). Blanck was the league leader in blocks and among the top-three in double-doubles with 13 (2nd). She also ranked in the top-three in free-throw percentage (2nd, .781), free throws (3rd), rebounds (3rd), and rebounds per game (2nd). Nationally, she finished the year 27th in blocks and blocks per game.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Elizabeth Flynn, Forward, St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University first-year forward Elizabeth Flynn was named the Liberty League Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Year. It is the second consecutive year a St. Lawrence University rookie has garnered the accolade. Flynn had a breakout season for the Saints, in 26 games, she led the team in scoring and rebounding with 294 points (11.3 per game) and 322 rebounds (12.2 per game). She paced the league in rebounds and rebounds per game and she was the only player in the conference to average a double-double on the year.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Vassar College – Meredith Mesaris, Head Coach & Assistant Coach Morgan McCrea
The Vassar College women’s basketball coaching staff was selected as the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. Meredith Mesaris and assistant coach Morgan McCrea guided the Brewers to a 25-2 overall record and a 17-1 mark in league play in their first year at the helm of the program. The Brewers captured their first Liberty League title since the 2013-14 campaign. As a team, Vassar led the conference in scoring margin (14.8) and combined team rebounds (43.4 per game). Three Vassar players are among the Liberty League’s scoring leaders—Tova Gelb (2nd, 14.4), Sierra McDermed (3rd, 14.4), and Julia Harvey (6th, 13.7); all three earned a spot on the All-Liberty League First Team. The Brewers enter the NCAA tournament riding a three-game win streak and they are winners of 24 of the last 25 games. They had a 21-game win streak spanning from November 17 to February 10 this season. It will be their first NCAA appearance since 2019.
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM:
Julia Blanck, Sr., F, Skidmore
Tova Gelb, Jr., G, Vassar
Julia Harvey, Jr., G, Vassar
Sierra McDermed, So., G, Vassar
Siena Smith, Jr., G/F, RPI
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE SECOND TEAM:
Camryn Coffey, Gr., G, Ithaca
June Dickson, Gr., G, Ithaca
Brooke Jarvis, Sr., G, William Smith
Jelena Perovic, So., F, Union
Emma Waite, Sr., G, RIT
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION:
Elizabeth Flynn, FY, F, St. Lawrence
Amelia Medolla, Jr., G, Skidmore
Anya Watkins, Jr., F, Ithaca