Sun Belt Release

By Michael Eldridge | @DFWSportsMike

ARLINGTON, Texas - UT Arlington sophomores Rebekah VanDijk and Cierra Johnson were honored by the Sun Belt on Tuesday as each were selected to all-conference teams.

VanDijk, the 2014-15 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, received her second-career selection to the SBC's second team, while Johnson was named Third-Team All-Conference.

VanDijk was second in the conference with 10 double-doubles this season. VanDijk was 12th in scoring at 12.2 points per game, averaging 21.0 over the last three games. Registering 51 blocks this season, the Nazareth, Texas native became just the fifth player in UTA history to record more than 100 in a career.

"I am really proud of that selection for her," Gerlich said. "It is really hard in this league as a post player to get recognized. She is one of the best, if not the best, in our league. Everybody's defense keyed on her, and the fact that she still had close to the same numbers as a freshman is really good. She has really started playing well as of late and has started to take over games. I am excited in that recognition and the two years of playing to her potential is great to watch."

Johnson had one of the best defensive seasons in UTA history, while adding the offensive touch this season. The Bedford, Texas native is 10th in the nation in with 3.04 steals per game, as well as tops overall in the conference with 73 - all while missing six games in conference play. Johnson is third on the team with 10.0 points per game and is averaging more than three assist per game.

"Cierra has improved her game, not only defensively, but has really added the offensive part to her game," Gerlich said. "She had some really good offensive outputs in games. Missing the last six games she was still able to have that respect from the coaches in the Sun Belt. That is really impressive and speaks to the potential of being the great all-around player that she can be."

2016 Sun Belt All-Conference Teams

First Team All-Sun Belt Conference

• Khadija Brown-Haywood (Arkansas State, Senior, Forward, Early Childhood Education)
• Aundrea Gamble (Arkansas State, Senior, Guard, Master of Arts in Teaching)
• Shanity James (Little Rock, Senior, Forward, Sociology)
• Keke Veal (UL Lafayette, Senior, Guard, Sport Management)
• Ashley Beverly Kelley (Troy, Senior, Guard, Exercise Science)

Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference

• Alexius Dawn (Little Rock, Senior, Guard, Sociology)
• Angel McGowan (Georgia Southern, Junior, Guard, Exercise Science)
• Kia Wilridge (UL Lafayette, Senior Guard, Exercise Science)
• Alayshia Hunter (UL Monroe, Senior, Forward, Kinesiology)
• Rebekah VanDijk (UT Arlington, Sophomore, Center, Pre-Law)

Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference

• Brittney Gill (Arkansas State, Senior, Guard, Interdisciplinary Studies)
• Chyna Ellis (South Alabama, Sophomore, Center, Allied Health)
• Marquita Daniels (South Alabama, Sophomore, Guard, Criminal Justice)
• Cierra Johnson (UT Arlington, Sophomore, Guard, Child Psychology/Pre-Med)
• Caitlyn Ramirez (Troy, Junior, Forward, Psychology)

2016 Sun Belt Conference Student-Athlete of the Year

• Aundrea Gamble, Arkansas State

2016 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year

• Chyna Ellis, South Alabama

2016 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year

• Madison Newby, Georgia State

2016 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year

• Brian Boyer, Arkansas State