ALFRED, NY – Two members of the Alfred University women's basketball team were named to the Empire 8 All-Conference Team on Thursday.
 
Jaidyn Chest (Mayfield, NY/Mayfield) was named to the All-Empire 8 Second Team after an outstanding sophomore season. She led the Saxons with 13.1 points per game and recorded 20 double-figure scoring performances this season with five of them being 20 or more points. She is currently ranked in the top 10 in 3-pointers made (sixth), points per game (seventh) and field goals made (10th) in the E8. Chest was also second on the team with 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Her dishouts per game were 10th in the league.
 
Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, NY/Dansville) ended her collegiate career with her first postseason accolade after earning a spot on the All-Empire 8 Third team. She was second in scoring with 11.9 points per game and was seventh in the E8 in 3-pointers made. This season, Rittenhouse reached 1,000 career points in Alfred University's win over Hartwick College on February 1. Rittenhouse was also the team leader in steals with 43 total and 1.7 per game. She finished her career with 1,041 points, 526 rebounds, 146 assists and 165 steals.
 
"Jaidyn and Grace are so deserving of this recognition from the other coaches," Head Coach Mike Moskowitz said. "The amount of work they put in this offseason to improve their game was impressive, especially as they each moved up a spot in terms of opponents' scouting reports. They both are so passionate about the game of basketball and we're so proud of them for their achievements this year."
 
Natalee Collins (Waterville, NY/Waterville) was selected as an Empire 8 Women's Basketball Sportswoman of the Year. The league emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission.
 
"Natalee plays the game the right way," Moskowitz said. "And we're very thankful for how she carries herself as a representative of our program."