Five Trojans Dominate CoSIDA Academic All-District Selections
CoSIDA Academic All-District Women's Basketball Teams | TU Honors Page
UPLAND, Ind. – The TU women's basketball squad roped in five-of-six 2019-20 Academic All-District Women's Basketball Team NAIA District II honors. Abby Buchs, Becca Buchs, Madisyn Fischer, Kayla Kirtley and Jamie Netzley each earned the distinction due to their stout play on the court and profound success in the classroom.
The group led all schools throughout the NCAA and NAIA with five recognitions within the NAIA District II, which consists of all NAIA schools within the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana and Tennessee.
Heading into their final game of the regular season, the Trojans sit in sole-possession of second place in the Crossroads League and rank seventh in the NAIA. The Purple and Gold are the top-rated three-point (40.9) and free throw (79.7) shooting team in the NAIA.
Abby Buchs holds a 3.81 grade-point average, while majoring in accounting and finance. The senior has made an impact on the court with 16.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Efficiency is key for Buchs who possesses a 44.6 percent three-point field goal percentage and 87.2 free throw percentage, which both rank in the top-10 in the NAIA.
All-American Becca Buchs leads the team with 16.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game amidst her senior campaign. Buchs has already collected 105 three-pointers at a 47.3 percent-clip, rating second in the NAIA for both categories. The 5-11 guard is also accurate from the free throw line with a 90.4 free throw percentage that also places her second in the NAIA. In the classroom, Buchs majors in accounting and finance and boasts a 3.80 GPA.
Fischer has been a critical part of the reserve unit this season, appearing in all 29 games and averaging 5.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. The Brimfield, Illinois native posted her first career double-double in a winning effort against Cornerstone. As a junior, Fischer maintains a 4.0 GPA with a major in accounting and finance.
In her sophomore campaign, Kirtley broke out with six double-digit outings and a career-high five triples against Indiana Wesleyan. The 6-0 forward is majoring in biochemistry and carries a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Majoring in mathematics education and earning a 3.81 GPA, Netzley has been a star on and off the court. The senior guard stepped up halfway through the season, picking up at least 10 points in 10 contests and nabbing a career-best 25 points in a triumph at Mount Vernon Nazarene. Over the last four games, Netzley has displayed her shooting prowess with nine treys on 64.2 percent shooting from deep.
The stellar quintet was joined by four men's basketball players in earning CoSIDA Academic All-District honors on Thursday and moved Taylor's total number of CoSIDA All-District awards to 17 for the 2019-2020 year. The group of nine players will advance to the ballot for the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team, which will be announced on March 12.
The CoSIDA Academic All-District award is designed to recognize student-athletes for outstanding achievements in the classroom, as well as on the court or field of play. In order to be eligible for the honor, an athlete must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 or higher on a 4.0 scale, must have achieved sophomore status academically with at least one full year at their current institution and must have participated in over half of the team's competitions as a key contributor during the current season.
Student-athletes are nominated for the award by their institution's Sports Information Department and voted on by CoSIDA members from around the nation.