March 21, 2007

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Lewis University senior Darcee Schmidt has been selected to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and Eastman Kodak Company NCAA Division II All-America Basketball team, and senior Mary Moskal was recognized as a Kodak/WBCA All-America Team Honorable Mention.

Schmidt was one of ten student athletes in the nation selected to the All-America team. Moskal was one of 30 honorable mentions. Lewis was one of just four schools to have a player listed on both the All-America team and the honorable mention list.

Schmidt and Moskal are the second and third players in Lewis women's basketball history to earn All-America honors. The only other Flyer to receive All-America recognition was Julie Fruendt, who earned Kodak First Team selections following the 1983-84 and 1984-85 seasons.

"I am humbled and extremely grateful to have had the privilege of coaching these two exceptional athletes for the past four years," said Lewis head coach Lynn Plett. "Their influence and success will hopefully have a long lasting effect on our program for years to come."

Schmidt and Moskal concluded their record-breaking careers in 2006-07 by leading the Flyers to their best season in school history. The duo helped the team to its first Great Lakes Valley Conference championship title since 1985 and school records for total wins (28) and conference record (17-2).

Schmidt, who also was named conference and region Player of the Year, was among the national leaders in scoring average (21.7) all season. She led the Flyers in field goal (.514), 3-point (.475) and free throw (.819) shooting percentages, and was the team leader in steals (53).

Schmidt scored 30 or more points seven times during the season, including three consecutive games of 30 or more points when the Flyers beat three nationally-ranked teams in December. She also had six double-doubles and was named GLVC Player of the Week four times during the season.

On Feb. 10, Schmidt broke a Lewis single-game record with 43 points in a win at Bellarmine. On Feb. 20 she broke the Lewis career scoring record of 1,854 points, a mark which stood for 16 years. On Feb. 22 she surpassed Lewis' single-season scoring mark of 604 points, a 26-year old record. She finished her career with 1,986 points.

"Darcee raised the level of her play this season to become the most consistent performer in our region," said Plett. "It's both gratifying and deserving that she received the national recognition of being selected to the Kodak All-America Team."

Moskal, Lewis' all-time free throw leader, finished fourth in the conference in scoring average (17.1), and she was second on the team in rebounding average (6.8), assists (111) and steals (43). She set a set single-game career highs in points (31) and rebounds (15) during the season and finished her career fourth on the school's career scoring list with 1,782 points.

In addition, Moskal recorded five double-doubles and was named conference Player of the Week two times during the season. She also was an Academic All-America first team selection, and she won GLVC Player of the Year in 2005-06.

"Mary has been so consistent throughout her four year career at Lewis University and has gained the respect of all the coaches in our region," said Plett. "Her work ethic both on the court and in the classroom has been second to none."

"There are many great student athletes in the game of women's basketball, but few that possess the qualities to help their program excel athletically," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "This year's Kodak/WBCA NCAA Division II All-America Team represents the best of women's basketball and we are delighted to present each of these student-athletes with this honor."