Cal Poly women’s basketball will enter the Big West tournament March 9 on a high note after four players were selected for the all-conference team and other various honors March 5.
Senior guard Dynn Leaupepe made the all-conference first team while her twin sister senior guard Lynn Leaupepe received honorable mention recognition. Junior guard Dye Stahley was named the Best Hustle Player and freshman guard Ayzhiana Basallo was awarded Sixth Woman of the Year.
Dynn Leaupepe is currently averaging 21 points per game, placing her at number one in conference and number 18 nationally. With her 1,625 total career points, Leaupepe ranks number three for scoring in Cal Poly history.
Dynn and Lynn Leaupepe both rank in the top 15 for scoring in school history with Lynn Leaupepe at number 12 with 1,035 total points. The sisters also rank in the top 10 for rebounding.
Despite a severe ankle injury and constant knee injury, head coach Faith Mimnaugh said Lynn has still been the “chair woman of the boards.” Lynn Leaupepe is averaging 7 rebounds a game this season, placing her at seventh in the Big West.
“To have both the twins be named to the All-Conference team is a testament to their great work ethic and commitment to be the best that each is capable of becoming,” Mimnaugh said. “We have been blessed to have Lynn and Dynn lead us in a multitude of ways throughout their careers.”
Also leading the team to playoffs this season is Stahley. Stahley is the eighth Mustang to ever win the Best Hustle Player Award since 2001.
Stahley started every game of both her sophomore and junior season, giving reason to her award title. Mimnaugh said she should be given the middle name “hustle.”
“From the moment she walked onto our campus I have seen an incredible, bighearted effort from this diminutive player,” Mimnaugh said.
Stahley is entering the tournament averaging 1.8 steals per game, placing her at fourth in conference. She has also been recognized for her assist-to-turnover ratio which currently sits at 1.8 for her career.
“It’s easy to be that hustle player when you have such great teammates cheering you on all the time, feeding your energy,” Stahley said. “I just want to come in every game and give us that energy we need, any way possible.”
Basallo sits at seventh in the Big West for three-point accuracy at .408. She is still averaging 7.6 points per game, giving Mimnaugh high hopes for Basallo’s remaining seasons on the team.
“It is very rare for a newcomer to earn this award, so you can look forward to watching her star shine even brighter next season,” Mimnaugh said.
The Mustangs earned a double-bye through the first two rounds of the tournament, allowing them to compete in the semi-finals March 9 at the Honda Center in Anaheim.