The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), has announced the finalists for the 2007 Kodak/WBCA All-America Basketball Team for Division III of the NCAA. The 40 finalists, which includes Gustavus standouts Jess Vadnais and Bri Monahan, are now in the running for selection to the 10-member Kodak/WBCA All-America Team. The teams are selected by WBCA member coaches in each of the eight WBCA geographical regions.
Vadnais, a junior guard from Hudson, Wisconsin, was the 2007 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She led the league in scoring (18.7 ppg), three-point baskets made (62) and free-throw percentage (169-188; 89.9%). Her free throw percentage ranks fourth in Division III. A versatile guard with a nose for the hoop, Vadnais scored 523 points this season which broke the Gustavus single season scoring record of 495 set by Bri Monahan last year. She currently ranks fifth on the Gustavus all-time scoring list with 1230 points. Vadnais also broke both the single-season and career school records for free throws made. Her 169 free throws this season obliterated the previous single-season record of 103 set by Shanna Behrens in the 1994-95 season, and pushed her career total to 327.
Monahan, a senior post from Hutchinson, Minnesota, is a three-time All-MIAC selection. She averaged 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this season, placing fourth in the MIAC in scoring and 11th in rebounds. Monahan, who became Gustavus’ all-time leading scorer late in the season finished her career with 1,466 points. She was one of ten finalists for the Josten’s Division III Player of the Year Award which is given to the player that best exemplifies the Division III philosophy of basketball skill, academics, and community service. Monahan hit 48.8 percent (168-344) of her shots from the field and 74.6 percent (91-122) of her attempts from the charity stripe, ranking eighth and tenth in the MIAC, respectively. She completed her career ranked in the top ten in school history in points (1st -1,466), field goals (2nd – 556), three-pointers (6th – 61), free throws made (2nd – 293), rebounds (7th – 635), steals (3rd – 196), and games played (6th – 103).
Vadnais and Monahan helped the Gusties compile a record of 22-6 overall and 18-4 in the MIAC. The team finished second in the MIAC regular season standings and second in the MIAC Playoff and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament where they lost to George Fox University 61-47 in the first round.