CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 28, 2012
Carissa Verkaik Named MIAA Most Valuable Player in Women's Basketball - Joins Hillbrands on All-MIAA Women's Basketball Team / Verkaik Also Named Finalist for Josten's Trophy
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
For the third straight year, Calvin College junior Carissa Verkaik has been named the MIAA's Most Valuable Player in women's basketball.
A native of Holland and a graduate of Holland Christian High School, Verkaik is the first three-time league MVP in MIAA women's basketball history.
In conference play this year, Verkaik averaged a league-leading 17.8 points a game. In addition, she led the MIAA in blocked shots (60\3.75 per game) and free throw percentage (.906). She also finished third in the MIAA in rebounding average (8.5) and second in field goal percentage (.582). Her blocked shots per-game average matches her own MIAA single-season record originally established during the 2009-10 season.
During the season, she was named a two-time MIAA Player of the Week. She has also been named to the All-MIAA first team for the third straight year.
Joining Verkaik on the All-MIAA first team from Calvin is junior teammate Julia Hilbrands. A native of Grand Rapids and a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, Hilbrands averaged 8.9 points and 5.9 rebounds a game while playing a reserve role off the bench. She led the MIAA in field goal percentage (.688) while also ranking ninth in rebounding average.
Calvin captured the 2012 MIAA regular season and MIAA Tournament titles, finishing 15-1 overall and then winning the league tournament with victories over Saint Mary's and Hope.
Calvin will open NCAA III Tournament play this Friday, hosting Wisconsin-Lutheran at 7:30 p.m. in a first round game.
MORE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Calvin College women's basketball player Carissa Verkaik has added yet another prestigious award to her athletics resume'. Verkaik has been named one of 10 women's finalists for the Josten's Trophy which is presented by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va.
The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va., to honor the most outstanding men's and women's Division III basketball players of the year. The award takes into account three vital parts: basketball ability, academic prowess and community service. The trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded Division III student-athlete. This year's class marks the 15th year the award has been presented.
A native of Holland and a graduate of Holland Christian High School, Verkaik has been a leader on the basketball court, in the classroom and in the community.
As a basketball player, she was recently named the MIAA's Most Valuable Player for the third straight year. She averages 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.3 blocks a game. She is currently ranked third nationally in blocked shots per game, 10th in field goal percentage (.570) and 39th in free throw percentage (.846).
In addition, she currently sits in second place on the Calvin career list for points, rebounds and blocked shots.
An education major, Verkaik was recently named a third team Capital One Academic All-American in women's basketball. She carries a 3.67 grade point average and was a member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll last year.
She has also been active in the community. Some of her volunteer activities include serving as a mentor in the Special Olympics program, serving as a tutor with local elementary school children, serving as a praise and worship leader in her church and organizing a middle-school book club group.
Verkaik is a two-sport athlete at Calvin, also competing on the outdoor women's track and field team. Last spring, she was the MIAA champion in the high jump and later qualified for the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the event.
Verkaik is the third individual in Calvin history to be named a finalist for the Josten's Trophy and the second on the women's side. Aaron Winkle was named a finalist on the men's side in 2000 while Lisa Winkle was not only a finalist, but also the recipient of the (women's) Josten's Trophy in 2007.
Additional information on the Josten's Trophy can be found at http://www.odaconline.com/jostens/index.
For a recent profile of Verkaik written by Calvin news and stories coordinator Myrna Anderson, please visit the Calvin website at: http://www.calvin.edu/news/archive/carissa-verkaik-named-academic-all-american
Received on Tue Feb 28 15:29:50 2012
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