Dupage Policy Journal

Carroll University's Olivia Rangel and Illinois Wesleyan's Mia Smith have been recognized with top honors by D3hoops.com. Rangel was named Region 8 Player of the Year, while Smith received the title of Region 8 Coach of the Year.

Rangel, who previously earned the Lori Kerans CCIW Most Outstanding Student-Athlete award on February 24, continues a seven-year streak for the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) with her selection as D3hoops.com Region Player of the Year. She is joined on the All-Region First Team by Lauren Huber from Illinois Wesleyan, who has now been selected for this honor three times.

Illinois Wesleyan's Ava Bardic and Mallory Powers were named to the Second Team alongside Carroll's Natalie Gricius. Elmhurst’s Kristin Bukata secured a spot on the Third Team. This marks the 24th season that D3hoops.com has announced its All-Region teams.

Mia Smith's recognition as Region 8 Coach of the Year is her first since she last won in 2012. Under her leadership, Illinois Wesleyan achieved a sweep of both CCIW regular-season and tournament titles and advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

The D3hoops.com All-Region 8 selections are as follows:

Player of the Year: Olivia Rangel, Carroll

Coach of the Year: Mia Smith, Illinois Wesleyan

First Team:

- Olivia Rangel, Carroll

- Lauren Huber, Illinois Wesleyan

Second Team:

- Natalie Gricius, Carroll

- Ava Bardic, Illinois Wesleyan

- Mallory Powers, Illinois Wesleyan

Third Team:

- Kristin Bukata, Elmhurst