March 23, 2011

Contact: Amanda Dahl, NAIA Manager of Sports Information & Media Services, adahl@naia.org

JACKSON, Tenn. -The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2011 Division I Women’s Basketball All-America teams. Players were selected by the All-America committee.

Meribeth Boehler of Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) and Campbellsville’s (Ky.) Whitney Ballinger were named 2011 NAIA Division I Co-National Player of the Year. Boehler, a senior post, led the nation in scoring during her senior campaign, averaging 23.6 per game, and total points with 850. Her 850 total points shattered the previous Lady Lion single-season scoring record of 781 that was set in 1999-2000. Boehler also averaged 10.2 rebounds per game.

The Ramer, Tenn., native was also named the National Championship’s Most Valuable Player. Boehler averaged 26.0 points and 13.5 rebounds per game while leading the Lady Lions to their third appearance in the semifinals. Boehler is the first Freed-Hardman player to earn National Player of the Year or MVP honors.

Ballinger, a senior guard/forward, ranked second nationally in scoring per game with 22.7 an outing and 772 total points. Her 3.1 blocks per game and 107 total blocks ranked third, while her 8.0 defensive rebounds per game were listed fourth and her 352 total rebounds listed ninth. Ballinger also averaged 10.3 rebounds per game.

Hailing from Carrollton, Ky., Ballinger closed out her career at No. 3 on the Lady Tigers’ all-time scoring list with 2,064 points, fourth in rebounds with 1,083 and holds the program record for blocks in a career with 367. Ballinger was also named Co-National Player of the Year at the end of her junior season. She becomes the third player in NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball history to earn the distinction in back-to-back seasons.

Union’s Kayla Hudson earned her fourth All-America accolade. In doing so, the Gleason, Tenn., native becomes just the second player in the Lady Bulldogs’ history to be a four-time All-American. Hudson joins former Charlotte Hart (1985-88) with the prestigious accomplishment at Union.

A trio of players, Alex Moore-Porter of Azusa Pacific (Calif.), William Woods’ (Mo.) Rachel Baker and Ballinger received the honor for the third time in their respective careers. Eight individuals were bestowed with their second All-America award and 18 were named All-Americans for the first time.