The unfortunate part of the collegiate athlete career is that it has to eventually come to an end.  The fortunate part of that same career is the opportunities that you are given throughout it.

As the USCAA announced the national awards for the women's basketball season last week, DuBois couldn't have been more proud of the names that were called.  Earning USCAA National All-American awards were Lexey Shick (Union High) and Tara Hinderliter (Redbank Valley).  Their exceptional work on the court helped lead DuBois throughout the season as Hinderliter would average 17.7 ppg, and Shick would add 12.8 ppg.   These two leaders are the idea of what Head Coach Pat Lewis builds his team on:

"Lexey was a true team leader all season long.  Her senior leadership was what the team needed, as we had nine first year players.  Lex led by example, on and off the court, for all of our younger girls to see and she taught the younger players how you should compete at the collegiate levels.  Her on the court intensity level was unmatched and I am proud to have had the opportunity to coach her.

Tara was a very skilled finisher on our team this year.  Very aggressive on offense and that is what we needed.  She improved each and every game and was one of the top vote getters for West Rookie of the Year in the PSUAC.  Tara always has a smile on her face but had a fierce will to win.  I'm disappointed, that due to Covid, she only had one season with us."

Lexey and Tara will both be missed by their teammates and coaches as they move on to the next frames of their lives beyond basketball."

The USCAA than called the names of even more members of the PSU DuBois women's basketball team in what is an equally impressive award in the USCAA National Academic All-American earners.  These athletes that receive this award are one's who have done exceptional in the classroom, and have earned a GPA of 3.5, or higher.  The team had 6 athletes (including Shick and Hinderliter) that were awarded with this honor:

Mackenzie Bauer  (North Clarion)

Tara Hinderliter  (Redbank Valley)

Hayley Matter  (Burrell)

Lexey Shick  (Union)                       

Maddie Steiner  (Bellefonte)

Emiley Wheeler  (Eisenhower)

Coach Lewis understands the importance of this award to the success of his student-atheltes both on and off of the court:

"When we recruit for the women's basketball program, we try to bring in great students that are also talented basketball players.  This group of young ladies proves that.  To have six USCAA Academic All-Americans in one season is incredible.  The most astonishing thing about these young ladies accomplishments this season is that they were on the road this year for twenty-four games and still reached unprecedented academic levels."

The athletic department congratulates these student-athletes, and thanks them for being such great ambassadors to the DuBois campus.