April 2, 2013

PHILADELPHIA - Capping a memorable season that included winning the Atlantic 10 title and playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over a decade, five Saint Joseph's Hawks were recognized for their performances throughout the season by Philly College Sports. Saint Joseph's Cindy Griffin was named Coach of the Year, redshirt senior Chatilla van Grinsven earned Co-Player of the Year honors and redshirt sophomore Natasha Cloud, junior Erin Shields and senior Ashley Prim were selected All-Philly standouts.

Leading her alma mater to its first conference crown since 1999, Griffin guided the Hawks to a 23-9 record and 4-1 marks against city schools this season. Under her direction, Saint Joseph's posted memorable wins over #5 Maryland and #11 Dayton, culminating with a 47-46 victory over Fordham in the A-10 title game at the Barclays Center. With the Hawks appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Griffin joined an elite group of just eight people who have led their alma mater to the NCAA Tournament both as a player and a coach. Finishing her 15th season as a head coach, Griffin has compiled a 271-189 record between Loyola (Md.) and Saint Joseph's, with 223 wins coming at Hawk Hill over the past 12 seasons.

Leading SJU in scoring and rebounding, van Grinsven made a memorable impact in her lone season on Hawk Hill. Named to the Philly College Sports All-Philly First Team, the the starting forward averaged posted 16 double-doubles this season, and averaged 14.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, becoming just the fifth player in team history to average a double-double for the season. The first Hawk to be named to an A-10 All-Conference First Team since Susan Moran in 2001-02, van Grinsven already etched her name in the SJU record books in several categories as her 333 rebounds were third most in a single season, while her 47 blocked shots tied for fourth. A six-time Big 5 Player of the Week and two-time Philly College Sports Player of the Week, van Grinsven ended the season leading the Hawks in scoring 19 times and rebounding 26 times. Scoring over 1,000 career points combined at Colorado State and SJU, she was also named to the A-10 Championship All-Tournament Team and Hawk Classic All-Tournament Team. She shares Player of the Year honors with Drexel's Hollie Mershon.

The anchor of Saint Joseph's defense, Cloud earned Philly College Sports All-Philly Second Team honors as she proved to be one of the more versatile players in the city. Relied upon to guard the opposing team's top perimeter player, Cloud led SJU in steals (57) and tied for second in blocked shots (17) in her first season with the Hawks. Starting 30 games and appearing in all 32, she posted a career-best 9.2 points per game, and finished second on the team in rebounds (148). An A-10 All-Defensive Team selection, she scored a game-high 17 points in the A-10 title game against Fordham, earning Most Outstanding Player of the Championship in the process.

Forming a formidable in the backcourt alongside Cloud, Shields and Prim were named to the Philly College Sports All-Philly Third Team.

One of the top perimeter threats in the A-10, Shields became the first Hawk to be named A-10 Most Improved Player and was named to the All-Conference Third Team. Shields thrived as a starter this year, scoring a career-best 11.4 points per game and converting a career-high 73 three point field goals.

A constant face in the Hawks' lineup the past four seasons, Prim finished tied for fourth on the team in scoring (7.6 points per game), second in assists (94) third in rebounding (4.4 rebounds per game). Matching the SJU record for career games played (127), Prim finished her career seventh all-time in assists with 417.