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Press ReleaseOREM -- Utah Valley University's Robyn Fairbanks was named the Division I Independent Player of the Year and to the All-Independent first team on Wednesday in a vote by coaches and sports information directors at 14 independent schools. It's the third consecutive year that Fairbanks has earned the award.
Julie McMurray was named to the second team for the second straight season while Sandy Wall earned honorable mention.
Fairbanks averaged 26.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and hit 60.8 percent from the field in her final season of college basketball. The two-time All-American became the 20th player in NCAA D-I history to record 2,500 points and 1,000 rebounds. Her scoring average ranks second nationally.
"For Robyn to be able to cap her senior year with this award is awesome," said head coach Cathy Nixon. "She has accomplished so much in her career and done so much for Utah Valley basketball. It's great to see her recognized for the things she has done."
McMurray finished second on the team and fourth among independent players with a career-best 18.3 points per game. Her triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over NJIT was the first in school history. She capped her junior season by leading the Wolverines to the independent tournament championship and the Most Valuable Player award.
Wall averaged 13.9 points in her final season and finishes her career second all-time in points scored in school history.
Houston Baptist's Fallon Thomas was named the Defensive Player of the Year, Seattle's Breanna Salley was named the Newcomer of the Year and coach Tim La Kose of CSU Bakersfield earned the Coach of the Year award.
(Courtesy UVU Athletic Department)
