BOSTON – Fresh off the program’s best regular season since 2017, UMBC took home three major awards, while Vermont, Maine and NJIT also claimed major honors as the conference revealed the 2022-23 award winners Tuesday afternoon. All of the All-Conference, All-Defensive, All-Rookie and All-Academic teams were determined in a vote by the league’s head coaches, who could not vote for their own players.
Full Awards Listing
For the third consecutive year, a Maine student-athlete earned Player of the Year honors, as sophomore Adrianna Smith headlined the major winners. UMBC’s Kiara Bell took home a pair awards, earning Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. Nia Staples was UMBC’s third award winner as he Sixth Player of the Year. NJIT freshman Alejandra Zuniga claimed Rookie of the Year honors while Vermont’s Alisa Kresge was recognized as Coach of the Year.
Player of the Year
Adrianna Smith, So., F, Maine
- Led the conference in scoring (18.0), rebounding (9.5) and double doubles (15) this season.
- Ranked second in the league in field goal percentage (50.4), fourth in assists (3.4) and was fifth in free throw percentage (.739).
- Became the first player to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in conference play since 1993-94, averaging 23.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest over 16 games.
- Scored in double figures 23 times this season including four contests of at least 30 points.
- First sophomore since 2016 to receive Player of the Year honors.
- Four-time #AEHoops player of the Week during the regular season.
Defensive Player of the Year & Newcomer of the Year
Kiara Bell, Gr., F, Maine
- First-ever UMBC player to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors and the Inaugural winner of Newcomer of the Year.
- Graduate transfer from LIU.
- Ranked third in the league in rebounding (8.6), third in double-doubles (6), fourth in blocks (1.4), fourth in steals (1.8) and 15th in scoring (11.0).
- The only player in the conference to rank in the top four in both blocks and steals this season.
- Helped lead UMBC to its best conference record and highest seed since 2017.
Rookie of the Year
Alejandra Zuniga, Fr., G, NJIT
- Finished sixth in the league in scoring and first among freshmen at 12.4 points per game.
- Increased scoring to 14.9 points per game in league play to rank fifth among all players.
- Only conference freshmen to lead their team in scoring this year.
- Shot 43.1 percent from the floor and 34.6 from beyond the arc while averaging 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
- Scored double figures in 14 of 16 conference games, including a career-high 31 points in a victory over Binghamton.
- NJIT’s first Women’s #AEhoops major award winner.
Sixth Player of the Year
Nia Staples, Gr., G, UMBC
- Appeared in 24 games, starting three contests.
- Helped lead UMBC to its best conference record and seed since 2017.
- Averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game in 18.2 minutes per contest.
- Scored double figures five times, including a season-best 24 points with five threes against American.
- First UMBC player to win Sixth Player of the Year honors.
Coach of the Year
Alisa Kresge, Vermont – 4th season
- Named Coach of the Year for the first time and the first UVM coach to earn the honor since Keith Cieplicki in 2002.
- Led UVM to its first regular season title since 2002 and its sixth overall.
- Has UVM in the midst of a 14-game win streak and a 22-6 record overall.
- The 22 wins is the most for the program since 2010.
- Helped the team lead the conference and rank ninth nationally in scoring defense (53.2), along with second in the league in scoring offense (62.1).
- Kresge is joined on her staff by Dominique Bryant, Will Lanier, Nevena Markovic and Shenita Landry.
UVM, UAlbany and UMBC led all schools with three All-Conference honorees apiece. The All-Conference First Team featured a pair of returners, in Helene Haegerstrand and Emma Utterback. Earning First Team recognition for the first time was Kayla Cooper, Anna Olson and Adrianna Smith. Cooper and Olson were Second Team selections a year ago. Four of the five were also named to the All-Academic Team for their success in the classroom.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
– Building the Complete Student-Athlete -