Rock Hill, S.C.— Anderson University women's basketball senior Samantha Michel earned South Atlantic Conference postseason honors highlighted by being named as the SAC Defensive Player of the Year, as released by the league office on Wednesday. Michel was also named to the All-SAC Second Team.

Along with the SAC player honors, the Trojans earned Statistical Champions in two team categories, Team Rebounds (1,004) and Team Blocked Shots (156).  Individually, Michel was named statistical champion in Blocked Shots Per Game (2.52)

Michel earned the SAC's Defensive Player of the Year award which was voted on by the league coaches. During the season, Michel tallied 58 blocked shots, 26 steals and ripped down 98 defensive rebounds. On two occasions, Michel recorded six blocks and three times she was credited with three steals in a game.

Michel's outstanding play over the course of the 2020-21 season landed her on the All-SAC Second Team. The native of Apex, N.C. started nine of 23 contests while averaging 10.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Michel posted seven double-doubles throughout the season.

Anderson returns to action inside the Abney Athletic Center on Thursday in the SAC Semifinals versus Lincoln Memorial. Tip-off is scheduled 6 pm.

2020-21 South Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball All-Conference Agate

First Team

Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman

Maddie Sutton, Tusculum

Caitlyn Ross, UVA Wise

Kalee Johnson, UVA Wise

Bryanna Troutman, Wingate

Lindsey Taylor, Carson-Newman

Second Team

De'Ja Marshall, Mars Hill

Addison Byrd, Carson-Newman

Quin Byrd, Limestone

Shemya Stanback, Catawba

Samantha Michel, Anderson

Reagan McCray, Limestone

Honorable Mention

Haleigh Hatfield, Wingate

Nia Vanzant, UVA Wise

Jalia Arnwine, Tusculum

Brianna Dixon, Tusculum

Lauren Flowers, Lincoln Memorial

Skylar Boshears, Carson-Newman

All-Freshman

Emily Harman, Lenoir-Rhyne

Reagan Kargo, Limestone

Peyton Davis, Wingate

Payton Cronen, Newberry

Amari Davis, Queens

Player of the Year

Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman

Freshman of the Year

Emily Harman, Lenoir-Rhyne

Defensive Player of the Year

Samantha Michel, Anderson

Coach of the Year

Jamie Cluesman, UVA Wise

          Statistical Champions
          Points Per Game – Braelyn Wykle, Carson-Newman, 23.3
          Three-Pointers Per Game – Reagan McCray, Limestone, 3.57
          Rebounds Per Game – Maddie Sutton, Tusculum, 15.3
          Blocked Shots Per Game – Samantha Michel, Anderson, 2.52
          Field Goal Percentage – Lindsey Taylor, Carson-Newman, 63.8
          Assists Per Game – Caitlyn Ross, UVA Wise, 6.9
          Assist-to-Turnover Ratio – Marta Rodrigues, Tusculum, 2.64
          Steals Per Game – Lyrik Thorne, Catawba, 3.00
          Three-Point Field Goal Percentage – Reagan McCray, Limestone, 45.5
          Free Throw Percentage – Reagan Kargo, Limestone, 87.8
          Team Scoring Offense – Carson-Newman, 81.8
          Team Steals – Lincoln Memorial, 151
          Team Field Goal Percentage – Carson-Newman, 47.0
          Team FG Percentage Defense – Tusculum, 34.6
          Team Assists – UVA Wise, 338
          Team Rebounds – Anderson, 1,004
          Team Blocked Shots – Anderson, 156
          Team Three-Point FG Percentage – Tusculum, 37.7
          Team Scoring Defense – Tusculum, 57.5
          Team Free Throw Percentage – UVA Wise, 76.8
          Team Assist-to-Turnover Ratio – UVA Wise, 1.23