Chapin, Gallegos earn UAA Athlete of the Week honors, Feb. 23

Chapin, Gallegos earn UAA Athlete of the Week honors, Feb. 23

WALTHAM, Mass. - Brandeis University junior guard Jessica Chapin of Mendon, N.Y., has been selected as the New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) and the University Athletic Association (UAA) Player of the Week for Feb. 23, while sophomore Mackenzie Gallegos of Friendswood, Texas, was honored by the UAA as women's tennis Player of the Week.

Chapin, who was twice previously named to the NEWBA honor roll, averaged 16 points, nine rebounds, 5.5 steals and 4.5 steals per game in a 2-0 week against UAA opponents for the Judges. She shot 54.5% from the field (12-22), 41.7% from 3-point range (5-12) and 100% from the line (3-3).

In a 67-57 win over Emory on Feb. 20, Chapin led the Judges with 15 points, eight rebounds, and game-highs of five assists and five steals. Against Case Western Reserve University on Feb. 22 in a 76-56 victory, she recorded her third collegiate double-double with game-highs of 17 points and 10 rebounds. She also had a career-high-tying six assists and made four steals to lead all players. With her five trifectas on the weekend, Chapin moved into second place on the Judges' career list with 116, while her 41 3-pointers are two shy of a school single-season record.

Overall this season, Chapin leads Brandeis in scoring (14.2 points per game, third in the UAA), rebounding (6.3 rebounds per game, 10th) and assists (3.2 assists per game, sixth), making her one of two players in the conference ranked in the top 10 in all three categories. Chapin also ranks second on the team and third in the UAA in both free-throw percentage (78.9%) and 3-point percentage (41.8%). She has been the team's leading scorer 11 times this season, scoring in double figures in 20 of 23 games, while topping the squad in rebounding 10 times with three 10-rebound performances.

Headed into their regular-season on Feb. 28 at New York University, the Brandeis women own a 17-6 record (7-6 UAA) in head coach Carol Simon's 22nd season at the Judges' helm. They reached as high as No. 5 in the nation according to d3hoops.com thanks to a 10-0 non-conference record and are currently ranked No. 25. The Judges currently stand in fifth place in the UAA and hoping to earn a fourth-straight at-large berth in the NCAA Division III tournament with the most difficult schedule in the nation in d3hoops.com's most recent calculations.

Gallegos, honored by the UAA for the first time in her career, posted a 9-1 record on the Judges' spring trip to Florida, winning all five singles and doubles matches. She played at No. 4 singles and all three doubles positions as the Judges posted a 4-1 record in Orlando.\


In four of her five singles matches, Gallegos lost just one game or fewer in two sets, including 6-0, 6-0, wins over opponents from Oneonta (N.Y.) State and Capital (Ohio) University, and 6-1, 6-0, victories over foes from Webber International (Fla.) and Alma (Mich.). Her final singles win was a 6-4, 6-1, win against Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.) University, earning one of two points for the Judges.

In doubles action, Gallegos posted two more shutouts, winning 8-0 in the No. 2 position against Webber International and at No. 1 against Oneonta State. She also won, 8-1, at No. 1 against Capital and at No. 3 against Alma, teaming with a different partner at all three positions.

Overall in 2008-09, Brandeis owns a 6-2 record under third-year head coach Ben Lamanna. Including a pair of tournaments, Gallegos is 8-3 in singles, with the second-most wins on the team, while going 7-7 in doubles action. On the trip to Florida, Brandeis defeated Webber International and Oneonta State by 8-1 scores and Alma and Capital, 9-0, each. Their lone loss came at the hands of Palm Beach Atlantic, 7-2.

Chapin is a 2006 graduate of Honeoye Falls-Lima High School. She is the daughter of Michael and Deborah Chapin, Mendon, N.Y.

Gallegos is a 2007 graduate of Friendswood High School. She is the daughter of Juan Jose and Dana Marie Gallegos, Nassau Bay, Texas.