AD3I Names The College of New Rochelle's Jah-Leah Ellis Women's Basketball Player of the Year; Four Named All-Independent

The Association of Division III Independents (AD3I) announced its 2014-15 Women’s Basketball postseason honors, and The College of New Rochelle’s Jah-Leah Ellis was voted AD3I Player of the Year. She also received All-Independent honors along with teammates Alyssa Pechin, Hannah Cambel, and Caitlin Harrison.

Ellis (Harlem, NY/Hun School of Princeton) repeats as AD3I Player of the Year and First Team All-Independent after leading the Blue Angels in nearly every category, averaging 20.2 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. The senior tallied a double-double in 20 of her 23 games and pulled down 20 or more rebounds six times. Earlier in the season, the forward posted back-to-back 27 rebound games, the single-game high for NCAA Division III this season. Her rebounding total this season is the fourth most in a season in CNR history. She tallied a career-high 35 points in a win over College at Old Westbury, and nearly recorded the program’s first triple-double with a 285 point, 27 rebound, nine assist, four steal and three block performance in a win over Yeshiva University. Ellis was selected AD3I Player of the Week four times, was the AD3I Student-Athlete of the Month for November, December, and January, and was named MVP of two in-season tournaments. Nationally, she ranks first in offensive rebounds per game, second in rebounds per game, third in double-doubles, 10th in defensive rebounds per game, and 15th in points per game (all rankings are as of 3/11/15).

Pechin (Yonkers, NY/Our Lady of Victory) earns First Team All-Independent honors after averaging 14.0 points, 3.9 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. The senior captain ranked third in AD3I in assists and fifth in scoring. The guard scored 10 or more points in 17 of 22 games and ranks among the national leaders in three point percentage and three pointers per game. The 1000+ point scorer, who will graduate as the program’s all-time leader in three pointers, is now a four-time All-Independent selection and was the 2011-12 AD3I Rookie of the Year. Pechin also earned All-Tournament accolades after helping CNR capture its second straight Women’s College Tip-Off Tournament title.

Cambel (Houston, TX/Westbury Christian) burst upon the scene in her rookie season, averaging 10.8 points per game while sinking a team-leading 58 triples, a total that led AD3I. The guard’s 3.17 three-pointers per game rank fifth nationally. She tallied 10 or more points 10 times, with a season-high of 25 in a win over College at Old Westbury. Twice this season she converted seven three pointers in a game. Cambel was named ECAC DIII Metro Rookie of the Week once, and earned All-Tournament honors while helping the Blue Angels defend their title at the Dr. Betty Shabazz Tournament.

Harrison (Bronx, NY/Academy of Mount Saint Ursula) averaged 6.2 points 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 assists per game over the course of her rookie season in New Rochelle. She tallied three double-doubles with season highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds (twice). The forward hit a buzzer-beating, game-winning layup in a road win at College at Old Westbury. Her rebounding average ranked eighth in AD3I.

The College of New Rochelle earned the program’s first postseason berth since 1985-86 as CNR was selected for the 2015 ECAC DIII Metro Tournament.

Learn more about the Blue Angels at CNRAthletics.com.