SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The 2013 Southern Conference women’s basketball postseason awards were announced on Wednesday, following a balloting of the league’s head coaches. Davidson senior Sophia Aleksandravicius was named the league’s player of the year for the second-consecutive season, while Chattanooga’s Wes Moore was named Coach of the Year.

Aleksandravicius was also tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year for the second-consecutive season, while Furman guard Holli Wilkins was named Freshman of the Year.

Aleksandravicius finished the regular season leading the league in rebounds (9.9), blocked shots (2.8), defensive rebounds (7.2) and finished third in scoring (15.8 ppg). The Pound Ridge, NY native was also named the Preseason Player of the Year.

Moore, in his 15^th year at Chattanooga, guided the Lady Mocs to their 18^th conference regular-season title and a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. Moore led the Lady Mocs to a 26-3 overall record and a 19-1 conference record, closing the season on a 16-game win streak. Chattanooga also recorded one of the biggest wins in school history, defeating No. 20 Tennessee, 80-71, to open the 2012-13 season.

Wilkins started 25-of-29 games for the Paladins, including starting all 20 conference games, and averaged 7.3 ppg in conference play.

Chattanooga led all teams with three players on the All-Conference team: junior Ashlen Dewart, senior Kayla Christopher and junior Taylor Hall. Davidson placed two on the All-Conference team in Aleksandravicius and junior Laura Murray. Appalachian State and Elon also placed two each on the All-Conference team: senior Anna Freeman (APP), sophomore Maryah Sydnor (APP), senior Ali Ford (Elon), and senior Kelsey Evans (Elon). Samford senior Jazmine Martin rounded out the All-Conference team.

Wilkins also earned a spot on the All-Freshman team, and was joined by UNCG’s Lucy mason, Chattanooga’s Tatianna Jackson, Western Carolina’s Lindsay Simpson, and Davidson’s Dakota Dukes.

Wofford’s Mariah Masalin, a senior guard from Orange Park, Fla., was named the recipient of the Ann Lashley Inspiration Award. This award honors a student-athlete or coach who has shown outstanding courage or service. It is presented in memory of former Elon women’s basketball associate head coach Ann Lashley, who passed away on November 10, 2005 after a six-month battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Masalin lost her mother, Kim, to cancer on November 19, 2012, but did not miss Wofford’s next game, two days after her mother’s funeral. Masalin has not missed a game or practice since her mother’s death, and will tie the record for games played in her career with an appearance in Friday’s first-round tournament game. Masalin has appeared in every game in her career. 

The 2013 Southern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament begins Friday, March 8 at 11:30 a.m. at Kimmel Arena in Asheville, N.C. The championship game is scheduled for Monday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m.

2013 SoCon Women’s Basketball Awards

All-Conference Team

Anna Freeman, Appalachian State

Maryah Sydnor, Appalachian State

Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson

Laura Murray, Davidson

Ali Ford, Elon

Kelsey Evans, Elon

Jazmine Martin, Samford

Ashlen Dewart, Chattanooga

Kayla Christopher, Chattanooga

Taylor Hall, Chattanooga

All-Freshmen Team

Dakota Dukes, Davidson

Holli Wilkins, Furman

Lucy Mason, UNCG

Tatianna Jackson, Chattanooga

Lindsay Simpson, Western Carolina

Player of the Year

Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson

Defensive Player of the Year

Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson

Freshman of the Year

Holli Wilkins, Furman

Coach of the Year

Wes Moore, Chattanooga

Ann Lashley Inspiration Award

Mariah Masalin, Wofford