WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State senior guard Melissa Gray (Peabody, Mass.) was named to the New England Women's Basketball Association's Division III All-New England Team, the organization announced today.
Gray was named to the second team, as voted on by the region's coaches.
Gray was previously recognized this season as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and as a first-team all-conference player.
Gray earned the first-ever conference Defensive Player of the Year accolade after leading the conference in points (20.0), steals (3.6), three-pointers made per game (3.5), and three-point percentage (38.3%). She was also top ten in the conference in rebounds per game, securing 7.3 per contest.
Gray completes her four-year Westfield State basketball career by etching herself in multiple career records, most importantly becoming the Owls' all-time leading scorer in a victory over SUNY-Poly early in the season. She finished her career with a total of 1,757 points - 231 points more than previous record holder Amanda (Braden) Theriault (1994-98).
On top of setting the career scoring record, Gray also passed current head coach Andrea Bertini on the all-time made three pointers list, drilling 319 career triples. On the defensive end of the floor, Gray amassed a total of 320 steals, which ranks second in school history.
Gray was named to the NEWBA time for the second time. She was a third-team all-NEWBA selection when led the nation in steals per game during the 2019-20 season. Westfield did not have a basketball season in the 2020-21 academic year due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Westfield State finished the season with a 15-12 overall record. The Owls were 8-4 in MASCAC conference play, where they finished third in the regular-season standings before falling in the conference tournament semifinals.
All Region
1st Team:
Christina Antonakakis, MIT
Maggie Russell, Tufts
Flannery O'Connor, Framingham St
Sam Hourihan, Springfield
Anna Barry, Eastern Connecticut
2nd Team:
Katelyn Pikunka, Smith
Jordyn Franzen, UNE
Bailey Donovan, Husson
Melissa Gray, Westfield
Dashelle Gleissner, Smith
3rd Team:
Karli Opalka, Roger Williams
Molly Ryan, Tufts
Megan Bauman, Babson
Katie Galligan, Roger Williams
Amina Wiley, Mitchell
4th Team:
Samantha Gallo, Trinity
Caleigh Ryan, Wesleyan
Lyric Grumblatt, Rivier
Melissa Presseau, WPI
Angelina Nardolillo, RIC
Player of the Year: Christina Antonakakis, MIT
Coach of the Year: Lynn Hersey, Smith
Newcomer of the Year: Jordyn Franzen, UNE