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KENNESAW, Ga. – A strong finish to the regular season by Kennesaw State was rewarded when the ASUN Conference announced its postseason awards at a luncheon Thursday afternoon that served as a prelude to the women's basketball championship.
 
Carlotta Gianolla was unanimously selected ASUN Freshman of the Year and named to the all-freshman team, while senior Deandrea Sawyers was selected second team all-conference following a vote of the league's coaches.
 
Additionally, redshirt juniors Chloe Branch and Clara Young were named to the all-academic team by the conference's athletics communications directors.

"I am very excited with the ASUN awards our team received today," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "Having Ollie (Deandrea Sawyers) represented on the second team, and Carlotta recognized as the unanimous Freshmen of the Year is a great team honor. Our team has come together and we all understand any individual award is simply a product of the team. We have great team chemistry and acknowledge these individual awards in a team fashion.  This is a great compliment to KSU Women's Basketball!

"Our academic awards are a result of hard work by our coaches and academic advisor," Berenato added. "It is important for us to compete in the classroom as well as on the court."  
 
Gianolla, who tied for the team-lead and led all ASUN Conference freshmen in scoring with 12.0 points a contest, became just the second Kennesaw State player to earn the conference's top freshman honor, joining Taylor Mills who earned the distinction in 2012.

"This is an amazing honor for not only Carlotta, but also for our team, coaches and KSU. Carlotta was able to bounce back from a serious injury, and at times dominate in the ASUN," Berenato said. "Her athleticism, inside presence and speed make it difficult for opponents to guard her. Defensively, Carlotta is strong on the boards and has learned a great deal. It is a pleasure to see our team and Carlotta's effort pay off with this prestigious award."  

Sawyers, who is averaging 12.0 points a game and tops the Owls with 15 double-digit scoring games, was honored for the second time in her career after being named to the all-freshman team in 2014.

"I am very happy for Ollie! As a senior, Ollie had to adjust to a new coach, staff and philosophy and she was open to the change," Berenato said. "There were games when Ollie put her team on her back and refused to let us lose. Ollie is definitely one of the best players in the ASUN and I am happy the coaches recognized her efforts." 

Branch and Young's selection to the all-academic team marks the first time in program history that the Owls have had two players honored in the same year. They join Mills as the only KSU student-athletes to be recognized since the all-academic team was added by the ASUN Conference in 2012.
 
Branch, who graduated with a political science degree in December and is currently working towards a master's degree in public administration, completed her undergraduate work with a 3.77 grade-point average.

"Chloe has been amazing in the classroom as she already completed her undergraduate degree. Working on her master's (degree) is a sign of how diligent and focused Chloe is," Berenato said. "She is disciplined, determined and well thought out! I am proud of Chloe that her academic achievements are recognized." 
 
Young has compiled a 3.72 GPA as a sports management major. While handling the point guard responsibilities for the Owls, the Woodstock, Ga. resident is averaging 8.5 points and 3.4 rebounds a game, while ranking third in the ASUN Conference in assists (3.3) and fifth in steals (1.4).

"Clara is a leader both on the court and in the classroom. "She takes both basketball and academics very seriously and it is a privilege for her to receive this honor," Berenato said. "Clara has a tremendous work ethic and it carries over to her studies. A great honor for a great point guard!" 
 
Kennesaw State will host its first ASUN Conference Championship game on Friday (March 3) when it hosts NJIT in a quarterfinal contest at the KSU Convocation Center beginning at 7 p.m.
 
Tickets are currently available for purchase and priced at $10 for adults, and $5 for youth (3-17) and ASUN Conference students with a valid ID. They can be purchased at KSUOwls.com or by calling the Kennesaw State Athletics Box Office at (470) 578-OWLS.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook. Follow Coach Berenato on Twitter @KSUCoachB.   
   
 
 

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