Three Leathernecks Garner All-League Honors

Michelle Maher (Second Team), Sophie Reichelt (Second Team), and Taylor Higginbotham (Newcomer Team) earn league accolades

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Western Illinois seniors Michelle Maher and Sophie Reichelt, along with freshman Taylor Higginbotham, were recognized by The Summit League Thursday (March 3) afternoon, as the league announced its annual awards. Maher and Reichelt each earned Second Team All-Summit League honors while Higginbotham earned All-Newcomer Team accolades. The annual awards are voted on by the league's coaches, media, and sports information directors.

Maher, a preseason Second Team All-Summit League pick, collects her second yearly award after earning Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore. The Park Ridge, Illinois, native was twice named The Summit League's 'Player of the Week' this year as she earned the accolade in the league's first and last week of the season. Maher ranks second on the team in scoring and assists, averaging 15.1 points and 4.0 assists per game, respectively. Earlier this season, Maher broke the Western Illinois single-game scoring record as she scored 41 points in a victory over North Dakota State. Maher, Western's all-time leader in 3-point field goals, currently ranks fifth in career scoring (1,422) and second in career assists (429).

Reichelt claims her first yearly award after leading the Leathernecks in scoring and rebounding during her senior season. The native of Mill Creek, Washington, averaged 15.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game and has scored in double figures in 15 straight games to end the season. Reichelt was named The Summit League 'Player of the Week' on November 30 after earning MVP honors at the North Florida Classic in which Reichelt scored a combined 57 points, including a career-high 34 points. Reichelt currently ranks fourth in program history in career blocks (72).

"It's really neat to see Michelle and Sophie get recognized their senior season," said head coach JD Gravina. "These girls have put some major blood, sweat, and tears into this program to take it from a conference bottom feeder to a contender. They have fought through adversity and helped others do the same. I'm very proud of their careers as Leathernecks."

Higginbotham earns her All-Newcomer accolade following a season in which the freshman finished third on the team in scoring, averaging 12 points per game. A native of Germantown, Wisconsin, Higginbotham burst onto the scene as she scored a season-high 25 points in her first collegiate game against Central Methodist to open the regular season. A presence off the bench the first 10 games of the year, Higginbotham made her first career start against UIC, and has started 13 games to close the regular season.

"Taylor is an incredibly versatile player and has shown as ton of maturity as a freshman. She has an incredibly bright future in front of her at WIU," added Gravina.

The Leathernecks earned the No. 5 seed in next week's Summit League Tournament and will face No. 4 Oral Roberts in the opening round on Sunday, March 6, at 12 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Michelle Maher: G; 5' 9"; Senior; Maine South

#44 Sophie Reichelt: F; 6' 2"; Senior; Holy Names Academy

#24 Taylor Higginbotham: G; 5' 10"; Freshman; Germantown

Players Mentioned

#14 Michelle Maher
: 5' 9"; Senior; Maine South
: G

#44 Sophie Reichelt
: 6' 2"; Senior; Holy Names Academy
: F

#24 Taylor Higginbotham
: 5' 10"; Freshman; Germantown
: G

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Players Mentioned

#14 Michelle Maher

#44 Sophie Reichelt

#24 Taylor Higginbotham

Players Mentioned

#14 Michelle Maher

#44 Sophie Reichelt

#24 Taylor Higginbotham