Charlotte, NC - For the second consecutive year, Olivia Hayenga has been named the 2024 NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Player of the Year!

After leading Minnesota West to a runner-up finish in last year's national tournament, the sophomore led the Lady Jays to its first women's basketball championship in school history. Hayenga ends her illustrious career at Minnesota West by scoring over 1,400 points and leading the Lady Jays to its best two finishes in program history.

"Olivia's impact was as complete as any player can be on a team. She was a tremendous leader who made everyone around her better and we would not have been able to accomplish what we did without her," Minnesota West head coach Rosalie Hayenga said.

The sophomore averaged 22.8 points (5th in the nation), 12.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game this season. Hayenga scored 754 points on the season, the most in all of NJCAA Division III. 

At the national tournament, Hayenga averaged 19.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, which earned them Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. The sophomore scored 22 points and pulled down 8 rebounds in the national championship game, where Minnesota West avenged last year's title game loss to Rochester.

"She will finish her career at MN West as the all-time leading scorer with 1,434 points.  To show how well-rounded she was, she will also be the all-time leader in rebounds, steals, and in blocks and will finish 5th all-time in assists at MN West.  She led us to 69 wins and had the opportunity to play in the national championship game both her seasons here," Hayenga said.

Hayenga was named the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) South Player-of-the-Year for the second straight year before the postseason. Earlier this week, the sophomore was named a 2024 NJCAA DIII Women's Basketball First-Team All-America Selection for the second consecutive year.

2023-24 Stats

• 22.8 points per game

• 12.1 rebounds per game

• 5.0 assists per game

• 45.6 FG%

Accomplishments

• 2023 and 2024 MCAC South Player of the Year

• 2023 and 2024 NJCAA DIII Women's Basketball First-Team All-America Team

• 2024 NJCAA DIII Women's Basketball Championship Most Valuable Player

• 2023 NJCAA DIII Women's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team

• 1,434 career points scored

Release provided courtesy of the NJCAA.