Vito Named Defensive Player of the Year, Catamounts Place Four on All-Conference Teams

BOSTON – Bella Vito was named Defensive Player of the Year, and four Catamounts earned All-Conference honors to headline Vermont's representation on the league's all-conference teams. Postseason awards were announced this afternoon.

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AMERICA EAST ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

Vito is the third Catamount to earn Defensive Player of the Year; she joins Hanna Crymble and May Kotsopoulos as the only ones to ever earn the award. Vito wrapped up the regular season, averaging career highs in points per game (7.8), rebounds (5.7), and assists (2.0). She also recorded a career-high 64 steals, which was second in the America East. She was also named to the All-Defensive team for the first time.

Anna Olson was named to the all-conference first team for the second time. She finished the regular season ranked fourth in the America East in scoring at 13.4 points per game. Olson averaged five rebounds a game and a career-high 2.1 assists per game. She led the conference in field goal percentage at 58.8 percent, which ranks 14th in the nation. She also became the only player in program history to score 1500+ pts, 750+ rebs, 200+ assists & 100+ blocks. Olson was also named to the All-Academic team for the third straight season.

Catherine Gilwee was named to the all-conference second team for the first time. She ends the regular season averaging 7.6 points per game, a career-high four assists per game, and two rebounds. Gilwee's 120 assists are the 19th most in a single season in program history. She has moved up to ninth in career assists and 10th in career three-pointers with 142. Gilwee had 11 games with double-digit points, including a season-high 13 against Bryant.

Nikola Priede was named to the all-conference second team in her first year as a starter. She recorded career highs in points per game (8.4), rebounds (4.3), and assists (1.4). Priede recorded the first two double doubles of her career against New Hampshire (Feb. 15) and Bryant (Feb. 20). She also recorded a career-high 22 points and five assists against UMBC on Mar. 1.

The Catamounts (18-12, 13-3) will host the seventh-seed UMBC on Thursday night in the America East quarterfinal. The game will start at 5 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

For news and updates about the Vermont women's basketball program, follow @UVMwbb on X and Facebook, @Catamountsbb on Instagram, and visit UVMathletics.com.

Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont women's basketball.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Catherine Gilwee: G; 5' 8"; Junior

#24 Anna Olson: F; 6' 1"; Senior

#25 Nikola Priede: C; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#10 Bella Vito: G; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#14 Catherine Gilwee
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G

#24 Anna Olson
: 6' 1"; Senior
: F

#25 Nikola Priede
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: C

#10 Bella Vito
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

University of Vermont Athletics

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned