Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Hayes Newcomer of Year; Sutton Freshman of Year
3/12/2019 10:02:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Two Lady Raiders earn specialty awards
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Two Lady Raiders earned Conference USA Specialty Awards after dynamic debut seasons as announced by the league office Tuesday.
Senior guard A'Queen Hayes was named the C-USA Newcomer of the Year, and point guard Taylor Sutton was honored as the C-USA Freshman of the Year. Conference USA awards are voted on by league coaches and media members. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their players.
"I am thrilled for Queen and Taylor," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "It is very difficult to do what those two young ladies did this season, stepping in as first-year players, adapting and delivering at a very high level. Winning these honors says a lot about what coaches thought about these two young ladies because there were some exceptional newcomers and freshmen in our conference this season."
Hayes became the first graduate transfer in Lady Raider history when she transferred from EKU during the summer. Hayes went on to become just the third Lady Raider ever to be named Newcomer of the Year in their respective conference, joining Amber Holt (2007) and Alysha Clark (2009), who were so honored by the Sun Belt. All three Newcomers of the Year in program history have been developed by Insell.
Hayes proved to be a difference maker for the Lady Raiders at the guard position not only with her scoring, but also rebounding, playmaking and defending. She is the only C-USA player to lead her team in scoring, rebounding and assists. Hayes is second on the squad in steals with 39.
The Horn Lake, Miss., native ranks among C-USA leaders in seven categories, including scoring, rebounding, assists, minutes, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds and assist-turnover ratio.
Despite standing just 5-foot-8, Hayes ranks eighth in C-USA in rebounding with 7.4 per game. She turned in seven double-doubles with six coming against C-USA foes.
Hayes was a two-time C-USA Player of the Week, and was named All-Tournament at the Fordham Holiday Classic.
Sutton's breakthrough season was of equal importance. The true freshman started the opening game against Vanderbilt and earned 27 consecutive starts before giving way to Katie Collier, who earned the start at point guard on Senior Night.
Sutton was a four-time C-USA Freshman of the Week honoree, while also being named USBWA National Freshman of the Week and earning Most Valuable Player honors at the UNLV Lady Rebel Roundup.
Sutton was Middle Tennessee's third-leading scorer at 10.5 points per game. The Atlanta, Ga., native ranked among the Top 10 in C-USA for 3-point field goals made per game. She produced 16 double-figure scoring games and scored in 28 of 29 overall. She connected for multiple 3-pointers in 15 games.
Sutton becomes the third Lady Raider to be named C-USA Freshman of the Year, joining current teammate Alex Johnson (2015) and Olivia Jones (2014). Overall, Sutton is the eighth Lady Raider to win Freshman of the Year. Priscilla Robinson (1991), Jonelda Buck (1996) and Joanne Aluka (1998) were so honored by the Ohio Valley Conference, while Patrice Holmes (2002) and Ebony Rowe (2011) earned the honor as members of the Sun Belt Conference.
The C-USA Player and Coach of the Year Awards will be announced Wednesday.
C-USA Specialty Awards
Newcomer of the Year
A'Queen Hayes, Middle Tennessee
Freshman of the Year
Taylor Sutton, Middle Tennessee
Defensive Player of the Year
Nancy Mulkey, Rice
Sixth Player of the Year
Lauren Grigsby, Rice
Senior guard A'Queen Hayes was named the C-USA Newcomer of the Year, and point guard Taylor Sutton was honored as the C-USA Freshman of the Year. Conference USA awards are voted on by league coaches and media members. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their players.
"I am thrilled for Queen and Taylor," Lady Raider Head Coach Rick Insell said. "It is very difficult to do what those two young ladies did this season, stepping in as first-year players, adapting and delivering at a very high level. Winning these honors says a lot about what coaches thought about these two young ladies because there were some exceptional newcomers and freshmen in our conference this season."
Hayes became the first graduate transfer in Lady Raider history when she transferred from EKU during the summer. Hayes went on to become just the third Lady Raider ever to be named Newcomer of the Year in their respective conference, joining Amber Holt (2007) and Alysha Clark (2009), who were so honored by the Sun Belt. All three Newcomers of the Year in program history have been developed by Insell.
Hayes proved to be a difference maker for the Lady Raiders at the guard position not only with her scoring, but also rebounding, playmaking and defending. She is the only C-USA player to lead her team in scoring, rebounding and assists. Hayes is second on the squad in steals with 39.
The Horn Lake, Miss., native ranks among C-USA leaders in seven categories, including scoring, rebounding, assists, minutes, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds and assist-turnover ratio.
Despite standing just 5-foot-8, Hayes ranks eighth in C-USA in rebounding with 7.4 per game. She turned in seven double-doubles with six coming against C-USA foes.
Hayes was a two-time C-USA Player of the Week, and was named All-Tournament at the Fordham Holiday Classic.
Sutton's breakthrough season was of equal importance. The true freshman started the opening game against Vanderbilt and earned 27 consecutive starts before giving way to Katie Collier, who earned the start at point guard on Senior Night.
Sutton was a four-time C-USA Freshman of the Week honoree, while also being named USBWA National Freshman of the Week and earning Most Valuable Player honors at the UNLV Lady Rebel Roundup.
Sutton was Middle Tennessee's third-leading scorer at 10.5 points per game. The Atlanta, Ga., native ranked among the Top 10 in C-USA for 3-point field goals made per game. She produced 16 double-figure scoring games and scored in 28 of 29 overall. She connected for multiple 3-pointers in 15 games.
Sutton becomes the third Lady Raider to be named C-USA Freshman of the Year, joining current teammate Alex Johnson (2015) and Olivia Jones (2014). Overall, Sutton is the eighth Lady Raider to win Freshman of the Year. Priscilla Robinson (1991), Jonelda Buck (1996) and Joanne Aluka (1998) were so honored by the Ohio Valley Conference, while Patrice Holmes (2002) and Ebony Rowe (2011) earned the honor as members of the Sun Belt Conference.
The C-USA Player and Coach of the Year Awards will be announced Wednesday.
C-USA Specialty Awards
Newcomer of the Year
A'Queen Hayes, Middle Tennessee
Freshman of the Year
Taylor Sutton, Middle Tennessee
Defensive Player of the Year
Nancy Mulkey, Rice
Sixth Player of the Year
Lauren Grigsby, Rice
Players Mentioned
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