Today the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released its NSIC North All-Conference Honors for the 2020-21 women's basketball season. Bulldogs' junior forward Brooke Olson was named NSIC North Division Player of the Year, as well as being named to the All-NSIC North First team. Senior forward Sarah Grow was named to the All-NSIC North Second team as well as the All-NSIC North Defensive team. Lastly, senior guard Ann Simonet was also named to the All-NSIC North Second team.
 
This is the second consecutive season that Olson has received all conference honors. Olson led the NSIC in points per game this season with an even 20.0. Her 20.0 points per game also currently ranks 20^th in all of NCAA DII women's basketball. Olson eclipsed the 1,000 point mark in her UMD career on February 19, 2021 against St. Cloud State University. Olson came in as the 12^th best rebounder in the NSIC, averaging 6.5 rebounds per game during the 2020-21 season. Olson was the top-ranked shooter in the NSIC during the season with a field goal percentage of 52.5%, a mark that also currently ranks 41^st in all of NCAA DII women's basketball. Olson recorded one double-double on the season in UMD's regular season finale and was named NSIC North Division Player of the Week twice during the regular season (Jan. 11, 2021 and Feb. 8, 2021). Upon the conclusion of the regular season, she has been bestowed with NSIC North Division Player of the Year honors.
 
Grow has been named to the All-NSIC North Second team as well as the All-NSIC North Defensive team. Grow contributed on both ends of the floor for the Bulldogs during the 2020-21 campaign. Grow's 9.7 points per game ranks second on UMD behind Olson. She eclipsed the 1,000 point mark in her UMD career on February 13, 2021 against Bemidji State University. Grow crashed the boards well during the regular season with 6.1 rebounds per game, which ranks second on UMD and is good for 18^th in the NSIC. She also contributed on the defensive end of the ball with her ability to play stout defensive basketball and block shots with ease. Grow's 2.2 blocked shots per game ranks first on UMD, third in the NSIC and 17^th in all of NCAA DII women's basketball. This is the Circle Pines, Minn. native's second consecutive year earning all conference honors. As she was tabbed with All-NSIC Second team honors as well as being named a member of the All-NSIC Defensive team.
 
Simonet earns her first all conference designation being named to the All-NSIC North Second team for the 2020-21 season. Simonet ranked third on UMD in points per game during the regular season with 8.5. Her 2.8 assists per game rank second on the Bulldogs and 20^th in the NSIC. She once again established herself as being locked down on the defensive end of the floor, leading UMD in steals per game with 1.5, which ranks her 14^th in the NSIC. Perhaps the most overlooked statistic for Simonet is her average minutes played, where she averages 30.5 minutes played per game, which puts her tied for first on UMD and ranks 18^th in all of the NSIC.

Look for this trio of Bulldogs to lead UMD into the NSIC tournament this Friday when they take on The University of Sioux Falls this Thursday at 10:00 a.m.