The All-Decade Team was compiled by staff from D3hoops.com All-American teams.
Guard Leigh Sulkowski
Washington and Jefferson, 2002-06
All-American years: 2003 (HM), 2004 (4th), 2005 (1st),
2006 (1st)
Conference honors: 2003 Player of the Year/Rookie of the Year, 2005 Player of the Year, 2006 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 2005 (First round), 2006 (First round)
Other honors: 2006 Jostens Award Finalist
What others say: “I had the
unique opportunity to coach against Leigh for two years and coach
with her for two; the latter two being much easier. The minute that
Leigh Sulkowski walked onto campus she changed the face of
W&J's basketball program.”
– Jina DeRubbo, Washington and Jefferson coach
Career synopsis: Even among these elite players, there aren’t many members of the 10th Anniversary team who can claim being an All-American all four years. In fact, Sulkowski is the only one to do so. Sulkowski’s all-around game also separated her from a lot of opponents. DeRubbo, who coached against and for Sulkowski for two years each, describes her as “the total package, she could do it all on the court. She should shoot the three, handle the ball, post up like a center, and was the best rebounder on the team.” She finished her career as the all-time leading scorer for men’s or women’s basketball at Washington & Jefferson with 2,034 points.
Guard Lora Trenkle
Bowdoin, 2000-04
All-American years: 2002 (3rd), 2003 (3rd), 2004
(1st)
Conference honors: 2001 Rookie of the Year, 2002 Player of the Year, 2004 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 2001 (Sweet 16), 2002 (Elite 8), 2003 (Elite 8), 2004 (national runners-up)
What others say: "Lora was a
spectacular shooter and seemingly always in 'the zone'. I
don't recall her ever missing a big shot. I've
never coached a more confident player than Lora. In the
2004 Sectional Final against Scranton, we were up against two
outstanding senior guards in Pierangeli and Dougherty. I
don't remember the stats, I just remember riding Lora's toughness
to the win and our program's only Final Four appearance.
We were 12-11 the year before Lora's class arrived and they
finished 103-14. Lora didn't have a weakness to her game; she
was a very good basketball player."
– Stefanie Pemper, Bowdoin coach
Other honors: 2004 All-Tournament Team
Career synopsis: The Bowdoin women’s basketball team has had an incredible run of success, with six straight appearances in the Elite 8. Trenkle was the best player on the best team, the 2004 national runners-up, who were just nine minutes away from an undefeated season. Trenkle took ownership of situations when the game was on the line and was a player who was not just a scorer and passer, but a difference-maker on both ends of the floor.
Forward Kendra Anderson
Hardin-Simmons, 1999-2003
All-American years: 2002 (1st), 2003 (1st)
Conference honors: 2001 Player of the Year, 2002 Player of the Year, 2003 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 2000 (Elite 8), 2001 (Sweet 16), 2002 (Sweet 16), 2003 (Sweet 16)
Other honors: 2002 Jostens Award Finalist … 2003 Jostens Award Finalist
Career synopsis: At the Division III level power forwards frequently have to rely on quickness more than overwhelming size to be effective. The same was true of Kendra Anderson, the 5-foot-9 leader behind Hardin-Simmons teams that advanced to at least the Sweet 16 four consecutive years. She was also quick to get ahead of the curve in collecting honors, being the first ASC player named as a first team D3hoops.com All-American. Anderson finished her career at HSU as the conference record holder for rebounds (955) and the school record holder for points in a game (38). Fittingly, when Anderson finished her Cowgirls career, she went out with guns blazing, scoring 33 points in a loss to eventual champion Trinity (Texas).
Forward Ashley Marble
Southern Maine, 2003-2007
All-American years: 2005 (HM), 2006 (1st), 2007 (Player
of the Year)
Conference honors: 2005 Player of the Year, 2006 Player of the Year, 2007 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 2004 (Sweet 16), 2005 (Final Four), 2006 (national runners-up), 2007 (Sweet 16)
Other honors: 2006 All-Tournament Team
What others say: “A tremendous athlete with physical gifts and talent, Ashley was able to succeed at such a high level of competition because she set the bar incredibly high for herself. No matter the outcome of the game or how well she played, she looked for things she could do better.” - Gary Fifield, Southern Maine coach
Career synopsis: Ashley Marble played with the grit and determination required of an All American forward, fighting for rebounds, sliding on her knees after loose balls and posting up opponents for a quick move to the basket. But she also had a sheer joy and passion for the game that was contagious to her teammates and Southern Maine fans. Coach Gary Fifield described both aspects of her personality, citing her ability “to succeed at such a high level of competition because she set the bar incredibly high for herself” and her “passion for excellence.” Those attributes helped her become the Huskies’ all-time leader for career rebounds (1,157).
Center Alia Fischer,
Washington U., 1996-2000
All-American years: 1998 (1st), 1999 (2nd), 2000
(1st)
Conference honors: 1998 Player of the Year, 1999 Player of the Year, 2000 Player of the Year
NCAA Tournament appearances: 1998 (National champions), 1999 (National champions), 2000 (National champions)
Other honors: 2000 Jostens Trophy Winner…2000 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player…1998 and 1999 All-Tournament Teams
What others say: “Alia and
Tasha (Rodgers) had personalities as different as their style of
play, but that in some ways was our strength, because they
complemented each other so well, and appreciated each other’s
accomplishments.”
– Nancy Fahey, Washington University coach
Career synopsis: Alia Fischer made her mark on Division III basketball as one of the game’s most dominant low-post players. She was aggressive going to the basket and could shoot hook shots with either hand, making her almost impossible to defend. She formed a great combination with forward Tasha Rodgers. And while the Bears’ rich history makes it difficult for any player to hold school records, Alia holds three of them – career scoring (1,974), rebounds (969) and blocks (219).