Tony Awards

NANAIMO - Four members of the VIU Mariners women's basketball team, including head coach Tony Bryce, were recognized with PACWEST conference awards on March 4. Bryce was voted PACWEST women's basketball coach of the year, Kiayra Hohlweg was named a first team all-star, Trista Thorn was named a second team all-star, and Emily Sprott was named to the All-Rookie Team.

PACWEST Media Release: Women's Basketball All-Stars
Player photos by Mary Kessenich

Emily Sprott: All-Rookie Team

Trusted to take on substantial responsibilities at point guard off the bench, Emily appeared in all games this season--one of six Mariners to do so--and averaged 16 minutes per game and 7.8 points per 40. Her ball-control, speed, and ability to lock down opposing players have translated well at the varsity level.

Trista Thorn: Second Team All-Star

A breakout player in her third season who inspired her teammates with her toughness, Trista is VIU's leading scorer (10.5 points per game and 17.9 points per 40) and sits 7th in conference points per game as well as 9th in conference steals/game and 5th in blocks/game. A confident player who can shoot from distance, drive the baseline with speed, and get into the faces of opponents.

Kiayra Hohlweg: First Team All-Star

Kiayra had an exceptional season: consistent with her effort and dynamite in her execution. While taking on a new role matching up against the PACWEST's bigs, she led VIU in rebounding and was third in team points per game. In the conference, Kiayra was 14th in the PACWEST in points per 40 (17.1) and ninth in rebounds per 40 (10.5) while shooting just under 40% from the field.

Tony Bryce: Coach of the Year

In his final season as the VIU bench boss, Tony led the Mariners to a 21-3 record, top spot in the PACWEST, and a top-five national ranking. He called this season a reload—not a rebuild—and make good on that declaration as plenty of new faces were added to the VIU lineup and put in positions to succeed. With a new score-by-committee approach paired with traditional aggressive defensive schemes, Tony and his coaching staff made the most of their ability to match the right players with the right moments, resulting in another stellar season for VIU women's basketball.