HONOLULU—The Big West Conference announced its yearly awards Monday morning, with several student-athletes from the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team being recognized for their play throughout the 2020-2021 campaign.
 
For the second consecutive year, head coach Laura Beeman and the Rainbow Wahine picked up a major individual award as freshman forward Daejah Phillips was named the Best Sixth Player of the Year. A year ago, senior forward Amy Atwell was recognized with the same award.
 
Along with her individual achievement, Phillips was named to the All-Freshmen Team with guard Kelsie Imai. Phillips started the first four games of the season but hit growing pains along the way as a freshman. Beeman and staff found a suitable and productive position for Phillips as their first player off the bench, a role the Las Vegas Nevada native was comfortable in. From February 6th to the 22nd, Phillips put together a string of games, scoring double-digits in four straight. She averaged 25 minutes in 15 games, along with nine points and five rebounds a game.
 
Imai was pushed into the starting point guard position early after the injury to All-Freshmen team member from last season, Nae Nae Calhoun, suffered a season-ending injury. Imai averaged five points, four rebounds, and four assists a game for the 'Bows while picking up her first career double-double last Friday against UC Davis with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Atwell showed flashes of being a dangerous threat early on, but it was late in the conference season where she found her groove. Atwell leads the 'Bows with 12 points a game and has scored 10 or more in her last four contests. Atwell's recent push and reputation throughout the conference led to her being named to the All-Conference Second Team.
 
Fellow senior Jadynn Alexander has been appointed to the All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive year as the 'Bows top defender. Success early in the conference season was due to the stellar defensive play by UH, anchored by Alexander. The same production has recently led to more wins and moving the 'Bows up the conference standings.
 
Along with being awarded for her defensive skills, Alexander was named as an All-Conference honorable mention. She averaged nine points and three rebounds while starting every game this season for UH.

Player of the Year
Cierra Hall, UCD
 
Co-Coaches of the Year
Jennifer Gross, UCD
Tamara Inoue, UCI
 
Freshman of the Year
Kayla Williams, UCI
 
Best Defensive Player
Sage Stobbart, UCD
 
Best Hustle Player
Tyla Turner, UCSD
 
Best Sixth Player
Daejah Phillips, UH
 
1st Team All-Big West
Cierra Hall, UCD
Kayla Williams, UCI
Sierra Campisano, CP
Justina King, LBSU
Abbey Ellis, CP
Sage Stobbart, UCD
 
2nd Team All Big-West
Doris Jones, UCSB
Amy Atwell, UH
Keilani Cooper, UCR
Sydney Brown, UCSD
Jayden Eggleston, CSUB
 
Honorable Mention All-Big West
Chloe Webb, UCI
Mackenzie Trpcic, UCD
Tyla Turner, UCSD
Taylor Mole, UCSB
Jadynn Alexander, UH
 
All-Freshman Team
Kayla Williams, UCI
Daejah Phillips, UH
Patricia Chung, LBSU
Jordan Webster, UC Riverside
Kelsie Imai, UH
Gabi Vidmar, CSF
 
All-Defensive Team
Sage Stobbart, UCD
Jadynn Alexander, UH
Ma'Qhi Berry, LBSU
Justina King, LBSU
Kayla Konrad, UCD