Sioux City, Iowa - The Central Methodist Women's Basketball team saw two of its own land on the NAIA National All-Tournament Team for their performances last week in the national tournament
The duo of Leianya Massenat and Daryna Bachkarova were each named to the All-Tournament team. Massenat landed on the first team, while Bachkarova earned second team recognition.
Massenat, a native of Trenton, N.J., averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.6 steals/game through five games in the national tournament. Her best performance of the tournament came against No. 5 seeded Texas Wesleyan in the Round of 16.
Against the Rams, the Heart Player of the Year led all scorers with 24 points paired with six rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
Bachkarova finished the tournament averaging 15.8 points/game which including nine three-point baskets. She led the team in minutes played, averaging 37.4 minutes/contest which included three games of 40 minutes. She recorded two 20 performances during the five game stretch against Haskell (3/7) and Texas Wesleyan (3/13).
The Eagles finished the year with a program best 35-1 record, and their second straight trip to the NAIA Fab Four.
To view the full list of the 2023 NAIA Women's Basketball National All-Tournament Team, please see below.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
1st Team
- Nicole McDermott, Clarke (Iowa)
- Alex Smith, Thomas More (Ky.)
- Savannah Waldorf, Dakota State (S.D.)
- Leianaya Massenat, Central Methodist (Mo.)
2nd Team
- Elsie Aslesen, Dakota State (S.D.)
- Daryna Backkarova, Central Methodist (Mo.)
- Jordan Sweeney, Montana Western
- Zoie Barth, Thomas More (Ky.)
- Giana Michels, Clarke (Iowa)
Hustle Award - Nicole McDermott, Clarke (Iowa)
Tournament MVP – Tina Uble, Clarke (Iowa)
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