Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Boldyreva, Gregory, Scott and Insell earn All-Conference Honors
3/10/2025 1:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DALLAS – Following a third-consecutive regular season title, Middle Tennessee center Anastasiia Boldyreva was tabbed CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, while a trio of Blue Raiders earned All-Conference honors and Head Coach Rick Insell was named Coach of the Year, as announced by the league office Monday afternoon.
Boldyreva, a 6-7 standout from Moscow, Russia, dominated on both ends of the floor throughout the season. She leads the nation in total blocks (117) and blocks per game (3.77), anchoring the nation's top-ranked defense. Boldyreva also averages 14.9 points per game – fifth in the league – and is second in rebounding (10.3 rpg). She is one of only two players in CUSA to average a double-double this season, recording 10 overall. A nominee for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award, Boldyreva becomes the first MTSU player to win consecutive CUSA Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Scott delivered a stellar junior campaign, leading Middle Tennessee in scoring with 17.8 points per game in conference play, ranking second in the league. The Clarksville, Tennessee, native also ranked ninth in rebounding (6.7 RPG) and fourth in blocks (37), making her the highest-ranked guard in both categories. Shooting 46.8 percent from the field, Scott has also been a key contributor to the Blue Raiders' defensive dominance.
Gregory continued her reputation as one of the league's top perimeter threats, leading CUSA in three-pointers made (49) in conference play while shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc. The Lafayette, Tennessee, native became MTSU's all-time leader in three-pointers made (334), ranking third all-time in CUSA history. She also led the Blue Raiders in steals (2.2 SPG) and maintained a 90.7 percent free-throw percentage, moving into second all-time in CUSA career free-throw percentage (88 percent).
In his 20th season at the helm, Coach Insell guided Middle Tennessee to its third consecutive regular season title and one of its most dominant defensive seasons, holding conference opponents to a historic 46.2 points per game on just 30 percent shooting. The 2024-25 Blue Raiders are the second team in CUSA history to three-peat regular season crowns and the first to do so without east/west divisions. Insell has led MTSU to 18 seasons with 20 or more wins. Middle Tennessee is just one of four schools to win 17 or more games for 23 consecutive seasons. The only other NCAA DI schools with at least 17 wins in every season since 2002-03 are Tennessee, UConn and Baylor.
Up Next
The Blue Raiders now shift their focus to the Conference USA Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama. MTSU is set to face the winner of No. 7 Kennesaw State and No. 10 UTEP on Wednesday, Mar. 12. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. The game will air on the Blue Raider Network and broadcast on ESPN+.
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Below is the complete list of Conference USA Postseason Awards:
Player of the Year
Molly Kaiser, NM State, Fifth, G
Defensive Player of the Year
Anastasiia Boldyreva, MTSU, Sr., C
Newcomer of the Year
Isnelle Natabou, FIU, Sr., C
Freshman of the Year
Paris Bradley, LA Tech, G
Sixth Player of the Year
Clara Gonzalez Planella, Jax State, Jr., G
Coach of the Year
Rick Insell, MTSU
All-Conference USA First Team
Isnelle Natabou, FIU, Sr., C
Prencis Harden, Kennesaw State, Sr., F
Bella Smuda, Liberty, R-Sr., C
Paris Bradley, LA Tech, Fr., G
Anastasiia Boldyreva, MTSU, Sr., C
Ta'Mia Scott, MTSU, Jr., G
Molly Kaiser, NM State, Fifth, G
Alexis Mead, WKU, Sr., G
All-Conference USA Second Team
Parris Atkins, FIU, Jr., G
Asia Boone, Liberty. So., G
Emma Hess, Liberty, Sr., G
Jalynn Gregory, MTSU, Sr., G
Deborah Ogayemi, Sam Houston, Jr., F
Ivane Tensaie, UTEP, Sr., G
Josie Gilvin, WKU, Jr., G
Destiny Salary, WKU, Fifth, G
CUSA All-Defensive Team
Bella Smuda, Liberty, R-Sr., C
Anastasiia Boldyreva, MTSU, Sr., C
Fanta Kone, Sam Houston, Jr., G
Josie Gilvin, WKU, Jr., G
Alexis Mead, WKU, Sr., G
CUSA All-Freshman Team
Fantasia James, FIU, G
Avery Mills, Liberty, G
Emmy Stout, Liberty, C
Paris Bradley, LA Tech, G
Jordan Marshall, LA Tech, F
