SAULT STE. MARIE - Junior guard Mackenzie Edwards was named most-valuable player of the Lake Superior State women's basketball team during the program's post-season banquet on April 9.
Edwards averaged a team-leading 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and was named to the All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Second Team. She was ranked ninth in the GLIAC in overall scoring.
Senior guard Megan Manninen received the Laker Pride, scholar-athlete and Ultimate Teammate awards. Sophomore center Tomara Novic was named most-improved, while Rachel Novotny and Valerie Meissner shared the Freshman of the Year award.
Manninen, a co-captain, was the Lakers' assist leader, ranking seventh in the GLIAC at 3.7 assists per game. Novic finished second on the team in scoring and rebounding at 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Novotny and Meissner both contributed over six points per game.
Megan Manninen with assistant coach Logan Fletcher
Novic, a 6-2 center from Belgrade, Serbia, appeared in all 28 games for the Lakers and made one start. She averaged 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore this season after averaging 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2014-15.
Tamara Novic
Novotny and Meissner were each thrust into the starting lineup as freshmen this season and responded admirably against the best competition the GLIAC had to offer. As a 6-2 center, Novotny established an imposing presence defensively, finishing tenth overall among GLIAC players in blocks per game (1.1) this season. The New Berlin, Wis., native also chipped in 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while maintaining an impressive 81.0 percent free throw percentage.
Meissner proved to be a versatile combo guard with high athleticism this season. In 26 games this season (24 starts) Meissner produced 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Meissner scored a season-high 19 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists during a tight 80-78 loss at Malone (Dec. 10).
Valerie Meissner and Rachel Novotny
The team's Coaches Award went to senior April LaCross in honor of her ability to battle through nagging injuries this season and continue to provide the coaching staff with the effort and intensity they desired. LaCross, sister of former Laker Candice LaCross ('14), joined LSSU as a sophomore after playing for Ferris State during her freshman year. This season she 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds while splitting time as a starter or key reserve.
