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Shani, Brooks, Kalb Named To All-Conference Squads
Seniors Sal Shani, Ashley Brooks and Katie Kalb were all honored by the league Tuesday.
Annville, PA — Messiah was once again heavily represented within the MAC Commonwealth All-Conference teams, as the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation announced three Falcons players to the first and second squads Tuesday. Senior Silalei Shani led the way with her second straight First Team MAC Commonwealth All-Conference honor, while classmates Ashley Brooks and Katie Kalb were each named to Second Team All-Conference accolades, their first league awards of their respective careers. “It is wonderful that these three individuals received recognition for their hard work and contribution to the success of our program,” said Mike Miller, Messiah head coach. “These awards don’t begin to say what type of all-star people they are, though. We’re going to miss all three of them immensely, for a lot of different reasons.” Shani complemented her first team honor from last year with an outstanding senior campaign, leading the team in scoring on nine occasions and in rebounding 20 times — averaging 12.7 ppg and a team-best 9.3 rpg overall. The lanky forward posted double-doubles in nine different games this season, grabbing a career-high 19 boards in a 71-59 win over Lebanon Valley College Feb. 7 while equaling her career high in points (24) in the team’s 57-60 loss to Widener University in the MAC Commonwealth Semi-Finals. Shani upped her production in conference play, leading the league in rebounding (10.7 rpg) and blocked shots (2.25 bpg) while finishing third in field goal percentage (49.3 percent). She posted double-doubles in Messiah’s last three games, leading the team in scoring in each of those contests. Shani also led the club in rebounds over the team’s last 11 games, further displaying her late-season dominance. “Sal has become much more aggressive on both ends of the floor as this year has progressed,” Miller said. “It has been fun to watch.” Brooks and Kalb earned their first all-conference recognition, averaging 12.4 ppg and 13.0 ppg, respectively. Kalb’s point total led the team (she converted on a team-leading 69 three pointers), while Brooks was a model of consistency: The do-it-all-forward scored in double figures in 20 of the squad’s 26 contests, including in 15 of Messiah’s last 16 games. A major piece to the Falcons’ success over the last four years, Brooks stands just nine points away from reaching the 1,000-point milestone. “In a competitive conference like this, to have two seniors that have worked hard enough over the course of their careers to be recognized is outstanding,” Miller said. “Ashley and Katie have been persistent day in and day out, trying to be the best they could be.” Kalb finished first in three pointers made (37) and three-point field goal percentage (46.8 percent) within conference play, while coming just a steal away from leading that category (she finished with 30). Brooks, meanwhile, was among the league leaders in field goal percentage (47.1 percent, fifth) and blocked shots (16, fourth), finishing 10th overall in rebounding (5.8 rpg). Both charted career highs in points this year, with Kalb pouring in 26 at Albright College on Valentine’s Day and Brooks opening the season with 23 points in a win at York College. The threesome helped Messiah to the most important statistics of all, as the team claimed the regular-season league title behind top overall marks in 10 of the conferences 12 statistical categories. Bre Dillon of Albright College was voted MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year, while Casey Pritz of Widener University earned MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year honors. After leading the Pride to the MAC Commonwealth Tournament Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, Widener’s Alisa DiBonaventura was named league coach of the year. Despite its aforementioned loss to Widener in the MAC Playoffs, Messiah prepares for its 10th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, securing the program’s fourth at-large bid in its history. The Falcons will face off against Eastern Connecticut State University Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Brubaker Auditorium.
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