Click here to view the complete 2011 All-WILA team.

ALAMOSA, Colo. — Fort Lewis College swept the three player of the year awards on the inaugural All-Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association teams, which WILA Commissioner Chris Day announced today.

Jessica Norby was chosen as the Offensive Player of the Year, Paige Juneau as the Defensive Player of the Year and Ally Kvidera as the Freshman of the Year. The only major award not claimed by a Skyhawk was Coach of the Year, which went to Regis' Sarah Kellner.

“We had a good first season as being a member of the WILA,” said first-year FLC head coach Kelsey MacDonald. “The best part about the end of the season is that we are such a young team and with most of our players returning along with the addition of our five freshmen next year we can only keep on improving. I am really proud of the team and can't wait to get started next season.”

Fort Lewis also placed four players onto the All-WILA first team and four onto the All-WILA second team. Skyhawks to earn first team accolades included Juneau, Norby, Ally and Abby Kvidera. Second team selections included Jessica Adams, Kylie Smith, Jenna Steele and Genna Waugh.

Norby, a 5-foot-7 freshman attack from Chaska High School in Chaska, Minn., set FLC single-season and career marks for most total points (71), points per game (5.07), goals (43), goals per game (3.07), assists (28) and assists per game (2.00) in 2011. She led the WILA in goals, assists and total points and was a two-time WILA Offensive Player of the Week.

“Norby had a great season this year,” said MacDonald. “She was one of our leaders on attack and would always be looking for the best option. Her unselfishness is what really makes her a good player. If it's there she will look to score but she would rather set up a teammate.”



Juneau, a 5-foot-1 sophomore midfield/defense from Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin, Texas, set a new school record with 20 caused turnovers in 2011. She also notched seven total points (four goals, three assists) while winning 19 ground balls and 19 draw controls.

“Paige also received our team Brick Wall Award and I think this really describes the type of player she is,” said MacDonald. “This year we had confidence putting Paige on the other teams' top players because we knew she would be up to the challenge. Paige is one of our leaders on defense she really stepped up and excelled at it.”

Ally Kvidera, a 5-foot-6 freshman midfield from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth, Minn., ranked second on the team in total points (51) and goals (42). A solid two-way player, she also recorded 30 ground balls, 26 draw controls and 14 caused turnovers.

“This year Ally had a great freshman season,” said MacDonald. “She was our go-to player when we needed to score and she was the player who would come up with a draw control or a ground ball when we needed the ball. As a freshman she was one of leaders with just her presence on the field.”

Abby Kvidera, a 5-foot-5 freshman midfield from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Plymouth, Minn., ranked third on the team in total points (43), goals (34) and assists (nine). She also earned WILA Defensive Player of the Week honors once during the season.

“Abby is one of those players that soaks in everything you teach and can translate it in her play,” said MacDonald. “She was solid in the midfield this year and was always there to pick up a ground ball or win a draw and also able to put the ball in the back of the net.”

Smith, a 5-foot-9 freshman midfield from Highland Ranch High School and Lone Tree, Colo., was second on the team in assists (11) and fourth on the team in total points (38) and goals (27).

“Kylie has a presence on the field,” said MacDonald. “Once she would get the ball in her stick, our whole team would gain confidence. Once Kylie started to look for her shot she became a huge threat on the field.”

Adams, a 5-foot-2 junior defense from Montezuma-Cortez High School in Cortez, Colo., finished her third season in Skyhawk blue and gold with career-highs in goals (nine), assists (three), total points (12), ground balls (20), draw controls (11) and caused turnovers (12).

“Jess' confidence improved so much just in this season,” said MacDonald. “She is the fastest on the field and once she wins the ball on defense she would be our fast break and get it to the attack.”

Steele, a 5-foot-6 sophomore defense from West Linn, Ore., finished the season with 20 ground balls, eight caused turnovers and seven draw controls. She also scored the game-winning goal in her only shot of the season — a free position shot that proved to be the deciding goal in a 16-10 win over Centre on April 16.

“Jenna is a true leader and as one of our team captains this year she proved it,” said MacDonald. “She overcame what we thought could have been a season ending injury in the preseason. But because of her drive and passion she excelled this year and was one of our top defenders and leaders.”

Waugh, a 5-foot-5 sophomore goalie from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, Calif., has the unique distinction of being credited with the victory in every win in school history. She went 7-6 in goal in 2011, setting school single-season records for most games in goal (14), most minutes in goal (622:35), most saves (92), best save percentage (.420), best goals against average (12.24), most victories (7) and best won/loss percentage (.538).

“Genna stepped it up big this year,” said MacDonald. “Her work ethic this season is what made her successful. We gave her the tools she needed and her dedication is what made her excel in net.”

Fort Lewis finished it's third-ever season of women's lacrosse 7-7 overall and 4-2 in WILA games (second place in the first-year league) under MacDonald. The team loses just two seniors — Katharine Allen and Courtney Hancock — to graduation.