Skylights earn Frontier honors

The Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team didn't quite win the Frontier Conference championship, and three of their five losses this season came at the hands of fellow Frontier power Westminster College.

But none of that can diminish what kind of season the Skylights have had up to this point, and following Monday night's championship game, the Skylights were certainly honored for their remarkable Frontier season.

Northern senior A'Jha Edwards was voted as the 2014-15 Frontier Conference Player of the Year, and was named First-Team All-Conference for the second straight season. Edwards was also an All-American a year ago, and was named the league's Newcomer of the Year last season.

But the accolades for Northern didn't stop there. Senior point guard Taylor Cummings was named the Frontier's Defensive Player of the Year, as well as Honorable Mention All-Conference, while MSU-N veteran head coach Chris Mouat was named the Frontier Coach of the Year. Sophomore Natalee Faupel was also named First-Team All-Conference.

"It's really nice to be recognized," Mouat said. "Especially by the other coaches in our league. It speaks volumes about the kind of season this team has had."

The Frontier was loaded with great players this season, but the 6-5 Edwards stood above them all. Including Monday night's 22-point, 14-rebound performance against Westminster, she totaled an incredible 24 double-doubles, while being named Frontier Conference Player of the Week six times. The native of Sierra Vista, Arizona is averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds per game, and is ranked in the top five nationally in five different statistical categories.

"A'Jha is special," Mouat said. "And she's very deserving of this award. She's just had a huge, huge impact on our program. I'm really happy for her."

Cummings, who's had a remarkable career at Northern as well, was recognized for the first time in her brilliant Northern career. She, too, is in the top five nationally in assist and steals, and is averaging 10 points per game in her final season at Northern.

"I'm so happy for Taylor," Mouat said. "She's been a starter and a great defensive player in this league for three years now. She's been in our program for five years, and this is the first time she's been recognized for all that she does. She is just such a great player and great person."

Faupel made the All-Conference Team for the second straight season. She was Honorable Mention a season ago. In her second year with the Skylights, she upped her average to 14 points per game, while dishing out three assists and pulling down five rebounds per night.

Meanwhile, Mouat is in his 10th season at Northern and he's already led the Skylights to their best record in over a decade. When the Skylights head to the national tournament next week, it will be the third time that he has guided them to the big dance and they will be making a second straight trip.

Other awards handed out Monday night included Rocky Mountain's Whitney Mitchell being named Newcomer of the Year, while Carroll College's Cassidy Hashley was named Freshman of the Year. UGF sophomore Nneka Nnadi was named Frontier 6th Player of the Year.

The Argos also had the most All-Conference performers with four, while Northern, Westminster, Carroll and Montana Tech had three players each selected. Lewis-Clark State and Um-Western had two players each selected, while RMC had one.

The Frontier Men's All-Conference Team and postseason awards will be announced after tonight's championship game between UM-Western and LC State.

2015 Frontier All-Conference Women's Team

First Team

Tanis Fuller, Sr., Lewis-Clark State; A'Jha Edwards, Sr., MSU-Northern; Natalee Faupel, So., MSU-Northern; Erin Legel, Jr., UGF; Amy Krommenhoek, Sr., Westminster; Tia Pappas, Sr., Westminster.

Second Team

Kalee Junkermeier, Sr., Carroll; Bailey Snelling, Sr., Carroll; Cassidy Hashley, Fr., Carroll; Caelyn Orlandi, So., Lewis-Clark State; Lindsey Abramson, Sr., UGF; Darah Huertas-Vining, Jr., UGF.

Honorable Mention

Taylor Cummings, Sr., MSU-Northern; Martha Dembek, So., Montana Tech; Kayla DeWit, Jr., Montana Tech; Mandy Machinal, Sr., Montana Tech; Jenna Banks, Sr., UM-Western; Sierra Higheagle, Jr, UM-Western; Whitney Mitchell, Jr., Rocky Mountain College; Nneka Nnadi, So., UGF; Shelby Ellsworth, Jr., Westminster.