Pitman, NJ – Freshman forward ALYSSA CRAIGWELL and the Montclair State University Women's Basketball coaching staff, led by Karin Harvey, received major honors as part of this year's all-conference awards announced by the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) on Tuesday. In addition to these accolades, three Montclair State players earned spots on the all-conference list.
 
Craigwell headlined the Red Hawks' season by being named NJAC Rookie of the Year and earning a First Team All-NJAC selection. The Montclair State coaching staff, consisting of Karin Harvey, Katie Sire, Courtney Cunningham-Jones, Zach Ammirati, and Dawn Cerrone, was recognized as the NJAC Coaching Staff of the Year. Joining Craigwell on the All-NJAC list were SOPHIE BENEVENTINE, who also received First Team honors, and OLIVIA VERO, who was named to the Second Team.
 
Craigwell made an immediate impact in her debut season. The seven-time NJAC Rookie of the Week averaged 15.5 points per game overall and 15.3 points per game in NJAC play—both the second-best marks in the conference this season. She also contributed 5.8 rebounds per game, along with 51 steals and 28 blocks. Her standout performance came in the regular-season finale against TCNJ, where she recorded a season-high 30 points. Craigwell's seven Rookie of the Week honors tied the second-most awarded to a Montclair State freshman, matching Stephanie Machin's total from 2003-04, and were the most since Hall of Famer Melissa Tobie secured 10 in 2011-12. She is also the first major award winner for Montclair since 2022, when Trisha Peterson won NJAC Defensive Player of the Year, and the first Rookie of the Year since 2020 when Nickie Carter won the same honor
 
Head coach Karin Harvey and her staff earned Coaching Staff of the Year honors following a remarkable turnaround season for the Red Hawks. Last year, Montclair posted a 9-16 record, including a 6-12 NJAC mark, and missed the conference tournament. Projected to finish seventh this season and labeled a "dark horse," Montclair State defied expectations, finishing with a 21-4 overall record and a 15-3 NJAC record, contending for the NJAC Regular Season Championship until the final game. Their impressive campaign included a 15-game NJAC winning streak from December 7 to February 19 and a 13-game overall winning streak from January 4 to February 19. This marks their best season since 2017-18, when they went 25-4, won the NJAC, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament's sectional round. With this honor, Harvey earned her seventh NJAC Coach of the Year honor.
 
Beneventine earned First Team honors in her lone season with Montclair State after transferring from Boston University. She averaged 6.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while her 135 assists led the NJAC and ranked fifth nationally in Division III. Additionally, she recorded 44 steals and 22 blocks. Her most impressive performance came in a home victory over Stockton, where she recorded the program's sixth-ever triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
 
Vero secured her first All-NJAC accolade in her final season, earning Second Team recognition. The senior forward/center averaged 13.2 points per game (sixth in the NJAC) and led the team with 7.8 rebounds per game (fourth in the NJAC). She also ranked third in the conference in blocks (38) while adding 52 assists and 33 steals. Her best performance came in a home win against Rutgers-Camden, where she recorded a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Montclair State enters the NJAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed and will host third-seeded William Paterson on Wednesday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m.