Hope College senior Maura McAfee has joined Amanda Kerkstra as two-time Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Players in women's basketball.
The forward from Midland, Michigan (Midland HS) previously won the award in 2014 as a sophomore. Kerkstra was named MIAA MVP in 2001 and 2003.
McAfee headlines a six-player, All-MIAA First Team chosen by the league's coaches that includes teammate and junior guard Angelique Gaddy of Caledonia, Michigan (Grand Rapids South Christian HS).
Senior guard Autumn Anderson of Dorr, Michigan (Wayland HS) was chosen MIAA Defensive Player of the Year.
This is McAfee's third All-MIAA First Team recognition and Gaddy's first. It is the first time Anderson has received Defensive Player of the Year honors.
McAfee led the Flying Dutch to an outright league championship while averaging 15.6 points and 11.1 rebounds over 16 MIAA games.
Hope coach Brian Morehouse said McAfee is deserving of the honor.
"I'm excited for Maura's recognition by the league coaches as MVP," Morehouse said. "She has worked diligently in the classroom and on the court to achieve success. Maura is the last to seek attention and the first to defer to her teammates. However, her hard work outside of practice has made her the player she is. This same work ethic has led to multiple acceptances for physical therapy schools. This will serve her well in graduate school and the work force."
Click her for a list of Hope's MIAA MVPs.
Gaddy averaged 8.6 points, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals per MIAA game. She returned to the court after missing last season with a knee injury.
"What a story of resiliency!" Morehouse said. "To be recognized by league coaches after coming back from two torn anterior cruciate ligaments is a story of determination, work ethic, and mental toughness. Her leadership, energy, and positive attitude helped propel the team to a league championship."
Click here for a list of Hope's All-MIAA First Team honorees.
Anderson defended the opponent's top perimeter player. She averaged 5.4 points, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals over 16 MIAA games.
"I'm grateful to the league coaches for honoring Autumn and recognizing all the different ways she impacts the game defensively," Morehouse said. "Her ability to guard multiple positions made our team much better. In addition, her leadership, film study, and recognition of the other teams tendencies made her invaluable to our program."
