NEWBA Announces Weekly Awards for February 26

Olivia Shaw
University of New England
Senior • Forward • Saco, Maine

Senior forward Olivia Shaw of the University of New England is the Presto Sports NEWBA Player of the Week for games played from February 19-25. Shaw led the Nor'easters to their sixth straight CCC title last week, averaging 18.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. She shot 53.7 percent from the field and 70 percent from the free throw line. In Tuesday's quarterfinal victory over Eastern Nazarene, Shaw totaled 20 points, nine boards, five assists, four steals and three blocks. She followed that performance up with 22 points, 16 rebounds (eight offensive), four assists, one steal and one block on Thursday in UNE's semifinal victory over Western New England. Shaw wrapped up the week with 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks on Saturday as the Nor'easters defeated Roger Williams in the championship game. 

Jenni-Rose DiCecco
Suffolk University
Freshman • Guard • Falmouth, Mass.

Freshman guard Jenni-Rose DiCecco of Suffolk University earns NEWBA Rookie of the Week honors for the second time this season after averaging 20.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game during the Rams' run to the GNAC Championship game. She shot 45.2 percent from the field, 40.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.5 percent from the free throw line. DiCecco scored 23 points to go with six rebounds, four assists and one steal in Suffolk's quarterfinal win over Johnson & Wales on Tuesday. She then recorded 14 points, four boards three assists and one steal in Thursday's semifinal triumph at Emmanuel, before compiling 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and one block on Saturday as the Rams fell to Saint Joseph's (Maine) in the championship contest. 

• Kara Holinski, MIT (Junior • Guard • Livonia, Mich.) - Holinski was named the NEWMAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player after helping the Engineers capture their first ever NEWMAC crown. She averaged 15.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game over the three-game stretch, while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 90 percent from the charity stripe. Holinski's top performance came in Saturday's semifinal triumph at Smith, when she made 9-of-12 field goal attempts and 5-of-6 free throws on her way to a 25-point, three-rebound effort.
• Kierra McCarthy, Westfield State (Junior • Guard • Ludlow, Mass.) - McCarthy received MASCAC Tournament MVP accolades after leading the Owls to their third straight conference title. She averaged 14 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal per game. The junior guard scored 13 points and grabbed three boards in a semifinal victory over Worcester State, before compiling 15 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two assists in the championship game against Framingham State. 
• Kelsi McNamara, Saint Joseph's (Maine) (Junior • Guard • West Newbury, Mass.) - McNamara claimed GNAC Tournament MVP accolades for her efforts in helping the Monks secure their third consecutive conference championship. She averaged 27 points, 6.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the field, 46.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 87 percent from the charity stripe. She finished with 26 points, seven assists, three boards, two steals and one block in a quarterfinal win over Mount Ida, before totaling 31 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in the semifinals against Albertus Magnus. McNamara recorded 24 points, seven assists and two rebounds in the championship victory over Suffolk.  
• Kenzie Worcester, Husson (Junior • Guard • Washburn, Maine) - Worcester collected North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Tournament MVP recognition for the third straight season after leading the Eagles to their third consecutive NAC title. She averaged 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 78.9 percent from the free throw line. Worcester posted a 22-point, three-rebound effort against New England College in the quarterfinals, before recording 16 points, eight boards, five assists and one steal in a semifinal triumph at Colby-Sawyer. The junior guard capped the week with 15 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in Husson's championship victory over Maine Maritime.