University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball player Jes Mertens (Fr., Devils Lake, N.D.) was named to the NSIC North Division All-Defensive Team and the NSIC North Division All-Freshman Team.
Mertens had an outstanding freshman season as she averaged 10.3 points, grabbed 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 steals per game. Mertens wasn’t only one of the top defensive players in the conference, but she was also one of the top in the country. She currently ranks seventh in NCAA Division II in steals with 50. Mertens is eighth nationally in steals per game.
Mertens is the first Golden Eagle to earn All-NSIC recognition since Isieoma Odor was named All-NSIC First Team during the 2018-19 season. Mertens is the 18th player in program history to earn All-NSIC recognition. Mertens finished the season shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 88.5 percent from the foul line. Mertens had a season-high 21 points versus the University of Minnesota Duluth on February 6. She also had a school-record seven steals on January 15 versus Northern State University.
Brooke Olson of Minnesota Duluth was named the NSIC North Division Player of the Year. Brehna Evans of St. Cloud State University was selected as the NSIC North Division Defensive Player of the Year. Northern State University’s Rianna Fillipi was named the NSIC North Division Freshman of the Year. Chelsea DeVille of Bemidji State was selected as the NSIC North Division Coach of the Year.
Erin Norling of Wayne State College was picked as the NSIC South Division Player of the Year. Joey Batt of Minnesota State University was named the NSIC South Division Defensive Player of the Year. Concordia University-St. Paul’s Lindsey Becher was selected as the NSIC South Division Freshman of the Year, while Augustana University’s Dave Krauth was selected as the NSIC South Division Coach of the Year.
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