Lady Cougars to Honor Seniors on Saturday

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Women's Teams


	News Lady Cougars to Honor Seniors on Saturday written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (2-17-2012) - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's basketball team will honor its three seniors on Saturday afternoon prior to the Lady Cougars' final regular-season home Mid-Central College Conference game against the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) that will tip off at 1 p.m. Whitney Levering, Sierra Fletcher, and Alexis Harkins have led MVNU to an 84-40 record (.677 winning percentage) over the past four years - the best four-year span in the program's history. The Lady Cougars registered three straight 20-win seasons for the first time ever, captured one National Christian College Athletic Association national title (2009), finished third in one other NCCAA National Tournament appearance (2010), and made the program's first-ever trip to the NAIA Division II National Tournament in 2011. Levering, a post from Fredericktown, Ohio, has played in 53 games in two seasons since transferring from NCAA Division II Northern Kentucky University to join the Lady Cougars. The former Fredericktown High School standout has recorded 388 points (7.3 ppg), 292 rebounds (5.5 rpg), 63 steals, 60 assists, and 30 blocked shots while shooting 42.1 percent from the field (157-for-373), 25 percent from 3-point range (22-for-88), and 65.8 percent from the free throw line (52-for-79). This season, Levering is averaging 9.3 points and a team-best 6.1 rebounds and ranks second with 19 blocked shots. "Whitney has been an anchor inside for us this year," said MVNU coach Jason Foster. "She has a great court presence and understanding of the game. She is a player who can really stretch a defense and keep them honest by scoring from a number of different places on the court. She stepped into a leadership role this year and really provides a voice for this team. Her desire to be prepared and work through things will really serve her well as she moves into the classroom as a teacher." Fletcher, a guard from Utica, Ohio, has played in 88 games in three seasons since transferring from NCAA Division I Longwood (Va.) University to MVNU. The former Utica High School star ranks ninth in school history with 1,274 points (14.5 ppg), second in steals (299), third in assists (345), fourth in 3-pointers made (179), and fifth in free throws made (329). She also set a school record in 2009-2010 with 135 steals. This season, Fletcher leads the Lady Cougars in scoring (13.1 ppg), assists (83), steals (78), and 3-pointers made (51). Among her many honors, she was the American Mideast Conference Newcomer of the Year and an NCCAA First Team All-American as a sophomore and has been an AMC First and Second Team selection as a sophomore and junior respectively. "Sierra is one in a million," said Foster. "On the court, she is one of the fiercest competitors around, going all out all the time. Known for her offensive explosiveness, she also has great basketball instincts and loves to get after people and the ball on the defensive side. Off the court, she is a fun-loving, down-to-earth person. She is really grounded and takes the same hard work approach to many aspects off the court." Harkins, a forward from Canal Fulton, Ohio, has played in 115 games over the past four years and put together one of the most consistent, well-rounded careers in the program's history. The former Northwest High School product ranks seventh in school history with 1,329 points (11.6 ppg) and 688 rebounds (6.0 rpg). She also ranks sixth in career field goals made (489) and has recorded 156 assists, 123 steals, 38 blocked shots, 91 3-pointers made, and 260 free throws made. This season, Harkins is averaging 12.1 points and 5.6 rebounds while leading all of NAIA Division II in free throw shooting percentage (90.4). Among her honors, she was the AMC Freshman of the Year, twice named AMC Honorable Mention, and was an AMC Second Team pick as a junior. "Don't let Lexi fool you," said Foster. "She may always be smiling, but inside beats the heart of a fighter. Calm and cool under pressure and ready to face any challenge that comes her way, she has been the quiet leader of this group. Choosing to let her actions do her talking, she has also led this group spiritually throughout the course of the season. She is a special individual who has been able to balance the demands of two programs - basketball and nursing - excelling in both and always with a smile." The Lady Cougars, who are currently 15-12 overall and 7-10 in the highly-competitive MCC, will play in the eight-team MCC Tournament starting on Tuesday night with the location, time, and opponent still to be determined by the outcome of Saturday's regular-season finales around the league.

© 2006 Mount Vernon Nazarene University