On a Hope College women’s basketball team where the spotlight is shared, Kenedy Schoonveld and Olivia Voskuil still shined brightly.
They’ve been chosen as the best in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
this season.
MIAA coaches selected Schoonveld as the league’s Most Valuable Player, and Voskuil,
a center as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Both also received All-MIAA
First Team honors while helping the Flying Dutch recored their seventh unbeaten league
campaign.
Guard Lauren Newman also claimed All-MIAA Second Team honors.
This marks the 10th time a Hope women’s basketball player has been chosen as MIAA
Most Valuable Player. A three-time, All-MIAA First Team selection, Schoonveld follows
Maura McAfee (2014, 2016), Carrie Snikkers (2009), Bria Ebels (2006), Amanda Kerkstra
(2001, 2003), Lisa Hoekstra (2000), Kristin Carlson (1996) and Dina Disney (1990).
While averaging 21.2 minutes per game for the unbeaten Flying Dutch, Schoonveld contributed
9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. She shot 50 percent
from the field and turned the ball over less than one time per game.
Against MIAA opponents, the 5-10 Schoonveld averaged 10.5 points and 4.4 rebounds
per game.
Head coach Brian Morehouse said Schoonveld put together a tremendous season for her
third All-MIAA honor.
“Kenedy was very efficient offensively in her field goal, 3-point and free throw percentages,”
Morehouse said. “In addition, her assist to turnover ratio was an indication of her
ability to make other players better. She made some big shots in big games and was
a great leader as captain. She took on the task of guarding the other teams best
wing this year and excelled in that role.
This is the second consecutive season Voskuil has been named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. She joins former Hope College guard Liz Ellis (2011, 2012) in accomplishing the feat twice. Autumn Anderson (2016) and Megan Kelley (2014) also received the award.
The 6-3 Voskuil anchored the nation’s top scoring and field-goal percentage defense. Over 25 regular-season games, Voskuil finished third in the MIAA in blocked shots at 1.9 per game and fifth in steals at 1.7. She was the only MIAA player to finish in the top five in both categories.
Offensively, Voskuil averaged 9.3 points against all opponents this season and 10.4 against MIAA foes.
“All of her statistics improved this season, and her defensive play was also better. That's impressive considering she was the Defensive Player of the Year last season,” Morehouse said. “Olivia's athleticism and knowledge of our defense allows her to assist her teammates in being great defenders and our team ranking so highly in the United States. in many different categories. Olivia is the first to credit the defenders in front of her for this award, as she is so unselfish.”
This season, Newman averaged 8.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game during the regular season while playing point guard and shooting guard.
In MIAA play, the junior from Flushing, Michigan (Flushing) produced 9.1 points, 2.5 and 1.6 assists per game.
“Lauren went home last summer and returned as an improved player for the third summer in a row,” Morehouse said. “Her hard work last summer and in season was reflected in her improved stats in every category. Her position moved during the season after an injury was critical to our team’s success over the last month. This is not an easy thing during the season, and she made the move to best serve her team.”