NEWBA Names Award Winners For February 27

Sarah Collins
Babson College
Junior • Center • Weymouth, Mass.

Junior center Sarah Collins has earned the  NEWBA/PrestoSports Player of the Week Award after leading nationally-ranked Babson College to its fourth straight NEWMAC Championship. Over the course of the weekend, Collins racked up 18.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game while shooting 68.0% (17-25) from the field. The Tournament Most Outstanding Player posted double-doubles in both of her team's victories. She was at her best on Saturday, when she exploded for 20 points, 14 rebounds, six blocked shots and four assists in a 64-40 triumph over Wellesley College. Collins was also impressive in Babson's 74-51 victory over Smith College on Sunday. This time, she collected 17 points, 13 boards, five assists and four steals. The Beavers will take a 25-2 record into the NCAA Division III National Tournament. This is the second time this year that Collins has earned Player of the Week honors.

Denisha Parks
Elms College
First Year • Forward • Fall River, Mass.

Forward Denisha Parks has earned the NEWBA Rookie of the Week Award after leading Elms College to its first NECC Championship over the weekend. Parks was nearly unstoppable for the Blazers, piling up 22.3 points and 18.7 rebounds per game, while knocking down 56.2% (27-48) of her shots from the floor and 68.4 (13-19) of her free throws. The forward recorded double-doubles in all three of her team's victories. She opened the week with 25 points and 19 boards in a 62-51 win over Bay Path on Tuesday. After erupting for 27 points and 27 rebounds in a 78-65 triumph over Newbury College on Saturday, she helped her team seal the title with 15 points and 10 boards in a thrilling 66-64 win over Daniel Webster College on Saturday. Parks and the Blazers will be making their first appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament later this week. This is the fifth time this season that she has earned Rookie of the Week honors.

• Erika Murphy, Elms College (Sr, F, Torrington, Conn.) - Murphy drained the game-winning basket in the Blazers' dramatic 66-64 triumph over Daniel Webster College in the NECC Championship on Sunday. Over the course of the tournament, the forward averaged 16.7 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Elms will be making its first appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
• Meghan Kirwan, Emmanuel College (Sr, G, Melrose, Mass.) - Kirwan was named Most Valuable Player of the GNAC Tournanment after leading the Saints to their sixth straight title. The senior was at her best in Saturday's Championship, when she piled up 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and eight steals in her team's 68-57 triumph over Saint Joseph's College. Over the course of the week, she averaged 16.7 points and 8.0 rebounds for Emmanuel, which has qualified for the NCAA Division III National Tournament for the 16th time.
• Rachel Riley, Rhode Island College (Sr, F, Coventry, R.I.) - Riley was named Tournanent Most Outstanding Player after leading the Anchorwomen to their LEC Championship. The center averaged 13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in wins over Western Connecticut State University and the University of Southern Maine. Rhode Island College has qualified for the NCAA Division III National Tournament for the third time in program history.
• Shelly DePina, Bridgewater State University (Sr, F, New Bedford, Mass.) - DePina earned Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after leading the Bears to their second straight MASCAC Championship over the weekend. The forward poured in a career-best 28 points in her team's 76-66 triumph over the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Saturday. Bridgewater State will be making its seventh trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
• Vanessa Powers, Castleton State College (Sr, F, Marshfield, Vt.) - Powers took home Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after leading the Spartans to their third NAC Championship. The senior averaged 19.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per game in wins over Thomas College, the Maine Martitime Academy and Colby-Sawyer College. Castleton State will be making its second appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

• Babson College senior forward Nicki Wurdeman became the first player in program history to reach 2,000 career points with her 14-point effort against Smith College on Sunday.
• A total of nine NEWBA head coaches will lead their teams in the NCAA Division III National Tournamament over the upcoming weeks. Congratulations and good luck to Tim Barrett (Castleton State College), Marcus Reilly (Rhode Island College), Judy Blinstrub (Babson College), Adrienne Shibles (Bowdoin College), Bridgett Casey (Bridgewater State University), Anthony Ewing (University of New England), Laura Habacker (Elms College), Andy Yosinoff (Emmanuel College) and Gary FiField (University of Southern Maine). Tournament play will begin on March 2. The tournament bracket can be accessed here.