by Alan Babbitt
When Kenedy Schoonveld needed to log more minutes at a critical time for the Hope College women's basketball team, the fifth-year senior rose to the occasion and helped the Flying Dutch become national champions.
The guard and social work major is now receiving her sport's top individual honors as well.
Today, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association named Schoonveld as the organization's NCAA Division III Player of the Year. On Saturday, D3hoops.com announced Schoonveld as its Player of the Year.
Schoonveld is the Flying Dutch's second WBCA Player of the Year. Forward Carrie Snikkers claimed the distinction in 2010. She headlines a 10-player WBCA First Team.
"This award is the culmination of an amazing career," head coach Brian Morehouse said. "Kenedy had a tremendous senior year, but had an even more tremendous NCAA Tournament run. When Savannah Feenstra went down with an injury, Kenedy and Sydney (Muller) played more and more with the 'Chaos Crew', Kenedy got more minutes, points, and rebounds, and I thought led people to see more about her.
"The unsung part is that she was our best wing defender. She always guarded the other team's best offensive player."
A three-time WBCA All-American and a Jostens Trophy finalist, Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian) averaged 15.2 points per game during the NCAA Tournament — four points above her season average of 11.1.
The three-time MIAA MVP's assist-to-turnover ratio was plus-4.5, which led the Flying Dutch. Schoonveld also grabbed 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game over 33 games.
Hope finished with a 32-1 overall record and won 77 of 78 games over the past three seasons. The Flying Dutch were MIAA co-champions and won the league tournament this season.
Schoonveld headlines a D3hoops All-America team that honored 20 student-athletes, including teammate Olivia Voskuil, a fourth-team selection.
For her career, Schoonveld started all 138 games — a team record — and helped Hope post a 130-8 record during that time.
Five times, MIAA coaches named the social work major as an All-MIAA First Team selection.
Morehouse marvels at Schoonveld's durability and reliability.
"She never missed a game; that is kind of remarkable," Morehouse said. "When you look at her 4 ½, 5 ½ years, that is a testament to her off-season conditioning and strength training."
