SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announces its 2022 Women's Basketball individual awards and All-Conference teams, which were nominated and voted on by the conference coaches. 

Player of the Year - Katie Villarini, Buffalo State
Villarini finished the season averaging 22.4 points (No. 1 in the league), 7.5 rebound (No. 4 in the SUNYAC) 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. She was the leading scorer for the Bengals with a total of 559 points during the 2021-22 season. Buffalo State fell to Oneonta in the first round of SUNYAC tournament, 59-52. Buffalo State ended the season 14-11. Villarini earned SUNYAC Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week two times this season.

Co-Defensive Player of the Year- Tashawni Cornfield, Buffalo State
Cornfield averaged 7.1 rebounds and 3 steals per game. She finished the season with a total of 9 blocks. Confield participated in all 25 contests this season. She contributed to Buffalo State's season-best, five-game win streak mid season. Cornfield was also honored with SUNYAC Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week this year. 

Co- Defensive Player of the Year- Taylor Hansen, Geneseo
Hansen started in 25 out of 27 games this season for the Knights. She finished the season with a total of 8 blocks and 29 steals. Hansen averaged 2.1 rebounds per game. The Knights fell short to New Paltz, 53-41, in the SUNYAC semifinals.

Rookie of the Year- Brianna Fitzgerald, New Paltz
Fitzgerald averaged 13.5 points (fourth in the league) and 5.6 rebounds per game in her rookie season, playing in all 26 games for the Hawks. Fitzgerald scored a season-high 25 points in a near triple-double performance against Fredonia where the Dix Hill, NY native also collected 11 rebounds and nine assists in the win. Fitzgerald helped the Hawks earn the program's sixth SUNYAC Women's Basketball Championship after defeating Cortland Saturday, 66-63 with Fitzgerald scoring the game-winning basket. The Hawks are currently 20-6 overall as they enter the NCAA Tournament with Fitzgerald making her first NCAA Tournament appearance Friday against Babson College.   

Coaching Staff of the Year, Cortland - Jacey Brooks and Audra Clark
The Red Dragons are led by head coach Jacey Brooks and assisted by Audra Clark. This is Brooks' second SUNYAC Coaching recognition in her four years at Cortland. The Red Dragons finished the regular season No. 1 in the conference and finished second in the SUNYAC tournament. Four Cortland athletes were named to the All-SUNYAC team. The team is currently 21-5 overall and earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament, where they will face DeSales in the first round on Friday.

2022 SUNYAC Women's Basketball All-Conference Teams (PDF)