Morris wins second-straight GPAC POY award; five Bulldogs honored
SEWARD, Neb. – Arguably the top player in the history of Concordia women’s basketball, senior Bailey Morris has joined elite company among the GPAC’s all-time greats. On Wednesday Morris was named the conference player of the year for the second-consecutive season. The back-to-back player of the year awards puts Morris among the likes of former Northwestern stars Deb Remmerde and Kendra De Jong as the only GPAC performers to accomplish that feat.
In addition, 2013-14 GPAC defensive player of the year Tracy Peitz joined Morris on the first team for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, Mary Janovich has garnered GPAC freshman of the year accolades while also being tabbed to the second team. Sophomore Becky Mueller made it two second teamers for head coach Drew Olson’s squad and senior Kelsey Hizer received honorable mention.
Morris, a first team All-American last season, ranked at or near the top of the conference in several key categories, including first in both assists (5.13) and steals (4.13) and third in scoring (18.6). On Jan. 28 Morris became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 30 points in a win at Doane. The native of Clay Center, Neb., now with 1,966 career points, also ranks second in school history in steals (386) and fifth in assists (475).
Never having scored more than 19 points in a single game during her high school career, Morris has racked up 35 career games of 20 or more points. She is an eight-time GPAC player of the week and was named a Capital One academic all-district choice for 2014-15.
Peitz, a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, has earned a reputation as one of the top defensive players in the league with the ability to dominate on the offensive end. The native of Hartington, Neb., has amassed 1,199 career points and 557 career rebounds. As a senior, Peitz has posted averages of 11.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals and a shooting percentage of 59.2 from the field.
Janovich is Concordia’s first-ever GPAC freshman of the year. The jet-quick guard from Gretna, Neb., is averaging 9.6 points and 2.3 steals while playing a key role in the team’s forcing of nearly 29 turnovers per game. Also on the second team, Mueller serves as one of the Bulldogs’ top outside shooting threats. The native of Elkhorn, Neb., is averaging 10.9 points per game and has nailed 54 treys.
Hizer, a first-time all-conference honoree from Parker, Colo., is often tasked with defending the opposition’s top scoring threat. She has chipped in timely 3-pointers and averages 6.0 points.
Morris and company will continue their season at the national tournament, which will play out March 11-17 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
All-time GPAC players of the year
2014-15: Bailey Morris, Concordia
2013-14: Bailey Morris, Concordia
2012-13: Kendra De Jong, Northwestern
2011-12: Kendra De Jong, Northwestern
2010-11: Becca Hurley, Northwestern
2009-10: Liz Grider, Briar Cliff
2008-09: Dani Gass, Morningside
2007-08: Deb Remmerde, Northwestern
2006-07: Deb Remmerde, Northwestern
2005-06: Lynnze Martinsen, Hastings
2004-05: Megan Cloud, Morningside
2003-04: Brittany Carper, Morningside
2002-03: Elizabeth Herbek, Hastings
2001-02: Randi Morgan, Dakota Wesleyan
2000-01: Rachel Binneboese, Northwestern