ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy women's basketball team recently voted on its 2019-20 year-end awards. The Mids' senior class swept the honors as
Mary Kate Ulasewicz won the Adm. Larson Award (Team MVP),
Morgan Taylor was selected as the Best Defensive Player,
Montana Braxton was named the team's Most Improved Player and
Laurel Jaunich collected the team's Pride Award.
Admiral Larson Award (Team MVP) – Mary Kate Ulasewicz
A four-year member of the program, Ulasewicz saw her role grow from a gritty player off of Navy's bench her first three years to a standout leader both on and off the court for the Mids as a senior. After seeing 50 combined games of action as a reserve coming into her senior season, she has played in and started all 30 games for Navy in 2019-20, the only such player to do so on the team. As the season progressed, the Doylestown, Pennsylvania native added on duties as the team's point guard and go-to scorer as evidence of eight games with six or more assists and 14 games with 10 or more points, including three with 20 or points. She finished the year ranked as the ninth highest scorer in Patriot League-only action with a 12.4 points per game mark in 18 contests against conference opponents. Overall during the season, she averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 39.0 percent from the field. Ulasewicz was selected to the 2019-20 All-Patriot League Third Team.
Best Defensive Player – Morgan Taylor
A valued member of Navy's backcourt for the past four years, Taylor developed from a leader off the bench to a consistent starter for the Mids during her senior campaign. After appearing in 71 games with 14 starts over her first three years, she has played in 28 games with 27 starts as a senior. An explosive scorer, Taylor netted 10 or more points 25 times in her career on her way to 599 combined points during her 99 games with the Mids. The Evans, Georgia native added to her playing profile during her senior season becoming the Mids' go-to shutdown defender. Statistically, her prowess was illustrated by her 1.7 steals per game that ranked fourth in the Patriot League. Taylor was named to the 2019-20 Patriot League All-Defensive Team.
Most Improved Player – Montana Braxton
A three-year member of the Navy women's basketball program, Braxton walked onto the team prior to the 2017-18 season and grew over time into an influential part of the team both on and off the court. After appearing in 10 games over her first two seasons, Braxton played in 26 games with 17 starts for Navy as a senior. An important member of the Mids' frontcourt, her best individual game came in early February when she went for 11 points and 9 rebounds versus Colgate. For the season, the Cape Elizabeth, Maine native averaged 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds a game.
Team Pride Award – Laurel Jaunich
A four-year member of Navy's frontcourt rotation, Jaunich played an integral role in the success of the team since day one as she appeared in all 34 of the Mids' game as a freshman. Since her rookie campaign, Jaunich went on to suit up and play in 116 games over her four years with 71 career starts. She finished her career ranked tenth all-time in appearances in the history of Navy Women's Basketball. Battling injuries throughout her senior season, Jaunich played in 22 games with 14 starts. The Charlotte, Vermont native averaged 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game with season-highs of 16 points versus Holy Cross and seven rebounds in three separate occasions.
