Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Tab Tri-Captains for 2015-16 Season
10/22/2015 2:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – With the dawn of the 2015-16 Northwestern women's basketball season around the corner, the Wildcats have selected a trio of team captains to lead them into the new campaign. Seniors Maggie Lyon and Christen Johnson return for a second season as a team captain, while junior Nia Coffey will be a first-year captain this season.
"I feel that we have great leadership both on and off the court," said head coach Joe McKeown. "Nia will be a great addition to Maggie and Christen who have given everything to Northwestern Basketball."
Johnson has played in 39 contests over her first three seasons, including a career-best 14 games in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The junior averaged about five minutes per game off the bench and made an appearance during the Wildcats' NCAA first-round matchup against Arkansas last spring. The Powder Springs, Georgia, native is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
"I'm excited for Christen to be a second year captain," McKeown said. "She loves Northwestern basketball and represents all it stands for both on and off the court. She did a great job last year and I know that experience with carryover for her as a senior."
Coffey was named to the 2015-16 Preseason All-Big Ten team, and was named First-Team All-Big Ten in 2015. The Minneapolis native scored in double figures in 31 contests during the 2014-15 season and poured in 20-plus points on seven occasions. Coffey was one of just two Big Ten Players to rank among the league's top 10 in points (15.2 ppg), rebounds (9.7 rpg) and blocks (1.8 bpg), while recording a team-best 14 double-doubles on the year.
"I am really excited for Nia as she has evolved into a leader both on and off the court," McKeown said. "Her work ethic and the way she carries herself make her a great representative of her teammates and of our program."
Lyon has scored more than half (603) of her 1,197 points from 3-point range. The senior has made at least one trey in 37 consecutive games, and in 58 of the last 65 contests dating back to the start of the 2013-14 campaign. She ranks third in program history in 3-point field goals made with 201 and she sits second on NU's single-season record list with 83 triples during the 2014-15 season. Lyon, who hails from nearby Wilmette, Illinois, was honored as the 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and has notched All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition in each of her three campaigns as well as academic All-Big Ten.
"I am really happy for Maggie as she has an incredible work ethic and passion for Northwestern," said McKeown. "She backs up everything with her actions and that's what you want in a leader."
Coffee, Lyon, Johnson and the rest of the Wildcats hit the floor for the first time at Welsh-Ryan Arena for an exhibition game against Seton Hill on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. The regular-season opener is set for Sunday, Nov. 15, when the 'Cats host Howard at 6 p.m., to tip off a three-game homestand.
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"I feel that we have great leadership both on and off the court," said head coach Joe McKeown. "Nia will be a great addition to Maggie and Christen who have given everything to Northwestern Basketball."
Johnson has played in 39 contests over her first three seasons, including a career-best 14 games in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The junior averaged about five minutes per game off the bench and made an appearance during the Wildcats' NCAA first-round matchup against Arkansas last spring. The Powder Springs, Georgia, native is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
"I'm excited for Christen to be a second year captain," McKeown said. "She loves Northwestern basketball and represents all it stands for both on and off the court. She did a great job last year and I know that experience with carryover for her as a senior."
Coffey was named to the 2015-16 Preseason All-Big Ten team, and was named First-Team All-Big Ten in 2015. The Minneapolis native scored in double figures in 31 contests during the 2014-15 season and poured in 20-plus points on seven occasions. Coffey was one of just two Big Ten Players to rank among the league's top 10 in points (15.2 ppg), rebounds (9.7 rpg) and blocks (1.8 bpg), while recording a team-best 14 double-doubles on the year.
"I am really excited for Nia as she has evolved into a leader both on and off the court," McKeown said. "Her work ethic and the way she carries herself make her a great representative of her teammates and of our program."
Lyon has scored more than half (603) of her 1,197 points from 3-point range. The senior has made at least one trey in 37 consecutive games, and in 58 of the last 65 contests dating back to the start of the 2013-14 campaign. She ranks third in program history in 3-point field goals made with 201 and she sits second on NU's single-season record list with 83 triples during the 2014-15 season. Lyon, who hails from nearby Wilmette, Illinois, was honored as the 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and has notched All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition in each of her three campaigns as well as academic All-Big Ten.
"I am really happy for Maggie as she has an incredible work ethic and passion for Northwestern," said McKeown. "She backs up everything with her actions and that's what you want in a leader."
Coffee, Lyon, Johnson and the rest of the Wildcats hit the floor for the first time at Welsh-Ryan Arena for an exhibition game against Seton Hill on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. The regular-season opener is set for Sunday, Nov. 15, when the 'Cats host Howard at 6 p.m., to tip off a three-game homestand.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter and Instagram, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook and sign up to receive promotional text alerts for the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!
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