Trio of Panthers earn All-SCIAC honors

ORANGE, Calif. – The SCIAC co-champion Chapman University women's basketball team was well-represented when the All-SCIAC teams were announced Wednesday. Senior G Kimi Takaoka was named Athlete of the Year, while junior PG Andrea Villanueva and sophomore F Sandra Gao garnered Second Team honors.

Takaoka, becomes Chapman's first women's basketball player to be named SCIAC Athlete of Year, as well as the Panthers' first female in any sport to earn the award. Takaoka led the conference in scoring with 21.5 points per game, which was also good enough to rank her in the top-20 in Division III. The captain ranks third in the SCIAC in three-point percentage (32.2 percent) and fourth in field-goal percentage (46.7 percent). The senior, who was just named a finalist for the Jostens Trophy, given to the most outstanding player on the court, in the classroom, and in the community, was recently named a Capital One Academic All-American for the second year in a row.

Villanueva, is third in the SCIAC in shooting percentage, sinking 47.5 percent of her shots. The guard is averaging 4.3 assists per game, and shooting an impressive 85 percent from the line, placing her second in the conference in both categories. The junior has been a threat on the defensive end of the court as well, tallying 1.9 steals per game.

Gao, in just her sophomore season has proved to be an efficient scorer, ranking second in the conference by pouring in 49.2 percent of her shots. The 5-8 forward, is top-five in the conference in rebounds with 8.6 per game including pulling down 3.2 RPG on the offensive end.

Chapman, who had more players (three) named to the All-Conference team than any other school in the SCIAC, will head to Walla Walla Wash. to take on No. 1-ranked Whitman College in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Complete All-SCIAC listing: http://www.thesciac.org/sports/wbkb/2013-14/releases/201403040n5nwq

by Mike Schwartz
Sports Information Intern

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