ATLANTA- After leading Eckerd to another national tournament appearance and a record-setting season, head coach Paul Honsinger '98 has been named a finalist for the U.S. Marine Corps/WBCA National Coach of the Year.
Honsinger led Eckerd (21-5) to its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearance, where the Tritons beat Florida Southern to advance to the semifinals for just the second time in program history. He led the team to the 9-0 start to the season, including two wins over nationally-ranked opponents, marking the best start in program history.
Eckerd also boasted the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year, Maya Price, and Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Lauryn Vieira.
EC's defense ranked within the top-five in Division II all season in defensive field goal percentage and scoring defense.
Honsigner was also named a finalist for the WBCA National Coach of the Year in 2016-17
Glenville State's (WV) Kim Stephens was named the winner of the coach of the year award and will be presented with the Pat Summitt Trophy, named after the late legendary University of Tennessee coach and awarded annually to the United States Marine Corps/WBCA National Coach of the Year in each of the WBCA's six membership divisions.
U.S. Marine Corps/WBCA National Coach of the Year Finalists
Buffie Burson, University of North Georgia
Jason Burton, Texas A&M University-Commerce
Lori Fish, St Cloud State University
Paul Honsinger, Eckerd College
Ryan McCarthy, University of Alaska-Anchorage
Karen Pinkos, Southern New Hampshire University
Kimberly Stephens, Glenville State College
Mike Williams, Grand Valley State University
