BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Senior forward Elly Schmitz was named MIAC Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Year, announced Wednesday by the conference office.
 
Schmitz was also named to the All-Conference squad along with Anna Garfield and Lydia Hay. Colette Duininck and Emily Erickson were both named to the Honorable Mention squad.
 
Garfield along with Rosalie Penke were named to the All-Playoff team.
 
Elly Schmitz • Sr • F • Hermantown, Minn.
• Two-time All-MIAC honoree after earning the same honor in 2024.
• In conference games, led the MIAC with 42 blocked shots and averaged 2.5 per game. Totaled 35 steals and averaged 6.8 rebounds. Fourth in scoring, averaging 15.0 points while shooting 49.4 percent and dishing out 33 assists.
• For the season, she averages 14.2 points and 7.3 rebounds, ranking seventh in the MIAC. She led the MIAC in blocked shots with 54 (2.1 per game) and sixth with 47 steals.  
 
Anna Garfield • Gr. • G • Ham Lake, Minn. (Blaine)
• Three-time All-MIAC after earning the honor in 2023 and 2024.
• In conference games, she averaged 12.4 points and 5.4 boards. In the 18 league games, she shot 41.6 percent while dishing out 39 assists and collecting 26 steals.
• For the season, averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 rebounds while starting in all 27 games. Shot 41.9 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. She added 58 assists, 41 steals and 13 blocks.
 
Lydia Hay • Gr. • F • Maple Grove, Minn. (Wayzata)
• First All-MIAC honor after being named to the Honorable Mention squad in 2024.
• Starting in 17 conference games, she averaged 23.9 minutes. She had 18 blocks and 11 steals while averaging 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds.
• For the season played in 26 games averaging 23.5 minutes on the floor. She totaled 24 blocks, 18 steals and dished out 31 assists. She shot 36.3 percent from the field and was a 75.8 percent free throw shooter.
 
Colette Duininck • Jr. • G • Prinsburg, Minn. (Central Minnesota Christian)
• First MIAC postseason honor.
• Starting in all 18 conference games, she averaged 29.3 minutes. She tallied 23 steals for the Royals while shooting 50 percent from the field and averaging 7.4 points.
• Starting in all 27 games, she averaged 29.3 minutes on the floor. She led the Royals with 97 assists while adding 46 steals.
 
 
Emily Erickson • So. • F • Lindstrom, Minn. (Chisago Lakes)
• First MIAC postseason honor.
• In 18 conference games, she averaged 17.1 minutes off the bench. She averaged 10.8 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 58.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three.
• Playing in all 27 games for the season, Erickson averaged 17.5 minutes off the bench while shooting 57.0 percent from the field. She averaged 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds. She added 18 steals, 17 assists and 13 blocks.