The All-Decade Team was compiled by staff from D3hoops.com All-American teams.
Guard Megan Silva
Randolph-Macon,
2002-06
All-American years: 2004 (4th), 2005 (1st), 2006 (Player of the Year)
Conference honors: 2003 Rookie of the Year, 2004 Player of the Year, 2005 Player of the Year, 2006 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 2006 (Elite 8), 2005 (National runners-up), 2003 (Second round)
Other honors: 2006 Jostens Trophy Winner … 2005 All-Tournament Team
What others say: “Megan
Silva was one of those players that coaches hope to have at some
point in their careers. She was the whole package! Her desire to
excel in the classroom and in all phases of her life were as
important to her as any performance on the court."
– Carroll LaHaye, Randolph-Macon coach
Career synopsis: With an impressive scoring repertoire, strong defense and incisive passing skills, Megan Silva owned the ODAC. She finished her career as the conference’s all-time leader for scoring (2,371), steals (446) and assists (700). But even as Silva racked up individual honors, she was always quick to share the credit with her coaches and teammates. “She is a genuine person who cares about her teammates and coaches,” says LaHaye.
Guard Taryn Mellody
Scranton, 2003-07
All-American years: 2005 (4th), 2006 (1st), 2007 (1st)
Conference honors: 2005 Player of the Year, 2006 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 2007 (Sweet 16), 2006 (Final Four), 2005 (Final Four), 2004 (Sweet 16)
Other honors: 2007 Jostens Award Finalist … 2006 All-Tournament Team
Career synopsis: When Mellody debuted at Scranton, the Royal faithful knew they had a special player. She could use her quickness and height to drive to the rim and or her range to hit a three-pointer. Over her four-year career, she did plenty of both and finished with 1,932 points, second in Lady Royals history. Mellody’s best move was to take one step away from the rim with her back to the basket and splash home a turnaround fade away jumper over a helpless opponent. Mellody perfected that move over a 125-game career in which she started all but two games.
Forward Allison Coleman
Eastern Connecticut State, 2000-04
All-American years: 2002 (2nd), 2003 (1st), 2004
(1st)
Conference honors: 2001 Player of the Year/Rookie of the Year, 2002 Player of the Year, 2003 Player of the Year, 2004 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 2003 (National Runners-up), 2002 (Second Round), 2001 (First Round)
Other honors: 2003 All-Tournament Team
What others say: “There was
no one more competitive than Allison. She hated to lose even at the
most simple drill or competitive activity. She gave every practice
and every play the most she could give it and more. I always
admired her for that.”
– Denise Bierly, Eastern Connecticut coach
Career synopsis: Coleman was a do-it-all player from the moment she began playing for the Warriors. She made an all-day drive to attend the Division III championship in 2002, than brought her team with her in 2003, as the Warriors advanced to the national title game. “Allison Coleman was the ultimate team player as well as competitor,” said Bierly. “She led her team to the 2003 championship game and gave all the credit to her teammates and everyone around her.”
Forward Tasha Rodgers
Washington U., 1997-2001
All-American years: 1999 (HM), 2000 (3rd), 2001 (1st)
Conference honors: 2001 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 1998 (National Champions), 1999 (National Champions), 2000 (National Champions), 2001 (National Champions)
Other honors: 2001 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player…1999 and 2000 All-Tournament Teams
What others say: “The
combination (of Tasha Rodgers and Alia Fischer) was a coach’s
dream. You can have great players but they also need to know how to
lead and be respected. Tasha and Alia were great players and
leaders.”
– Washington University coach Nancy Fahey
Career synopsis: Rodgers was a star for the Washington University women’s basketball dynasty and won a national title in all four years with the team. A quick slasher and tough defender, Rodgers combined with second-team honoree Alia Fischer to form one of the best two-player tandems in Division III women’s basketball history. Washington University has had a lot of great players, but none had more steals (295) or a higher field goal percentage (.583) than Rodgers.
Center Ronda Jo Miller
Gallaudet, 1996-2000
All-American years: 1998 (1st), 1999 (1st), 2000 (1st)
Conference honors: 1997 Rookie of the Year, 1997 Player of the Year, 1998 Player of the Year, 1999 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 1997 (first round), 1999 (Sweet 16)
What others say: “Miller was
Superwoman with a basketball -- on this day she could do no wrong.
It wasn’t just the 38 points, it was how she got them. The
double-clutch jump shots and reverse layups looked so
easy.”
– Mark Simon, Around the Nation (March 9, 1999)
Career synopsis: The 6-foot-2 center single-handedly changed the way basketball was played and practiced in the Capital Athletic Conference and the region. She brought an athletic, tall frame to the game and a desire to win that overcame any other liability. She dominated on the boards, put up double-figure points every night, and was one of the toughest inside defenders seen in the women's game. Miller's skills and ability changed the way women's teams practiced, as many would practice against taller men for their upcoming game against Gallaudet or for the entire season. And she also changed many conference records, establishing CAC marks for career rebounds (1,545) and field goals (1,090). Her 2,656 points ranks her third all-time in Division III.