@CanesWBB Hosts 2016-17 Team Banquet

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team held its 2016-17 team banquet Monday night at the Newman Alumni Center.

Players, coaches, support staff and faithful fans were all on hand to celebrate a fantastic season that saw the Hurricanes finish with a 24-9 (10-6 ACC) record. Miami made the postseason for the eighth year in a row, reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament and made the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.

Miami’s outstanding senior class was recognized and seven awards were handed out to five players, with two individuals earning multiple accolades.

Sarah Mortensen, a freshman guard/forward from Copenhagen, Denmark, was recognized with the team’s Academic Award.

Keyanna Harris, a junior forward who hails from nearby Riviera Beach, Fla., garnered Miami’s Most Improved Player award.

Senior guard Jessica Thomas earned the Strongest Player award for the third consecutive year. The Gainesville, Fla., native also picked up the Assists Leader honor for the third straight season.

Redshirt senior forward Keyona Hayes was awarded with the Hurricanes’ Most Intense Player distinction. In addition, the Marietta, Ga., native earned Miami’s Windex Award as the top rebounder.

Adrienne Motley, a senior guard from Newport News, Va., was named the team’s Co-Most Valuable Player for the fourth season in a row, sharing the honor with Thomas, who collected the accolade for the first time.

The Hurricanes will welcome back several key players in 2017-18, as well as bring in a top-20 recruiting class to Coral Gables.

To keep up with the University of Miami women’s basketball team on social media, follow @CanesWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

AWARD RECIPIENTS
Academic Award: Sarah Mortensen
Most Improved Player: Keyanna Harris
Strongest Player: Jessica Thomas
Assists Leader: Jessica Thomas
Windex Award: Keyona Hayes
Most Intense Player: Keyona Hayes
Co-Most Valuable Players: Adrienne Motley and Jessica Thomas