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Fighting Illini Women's Basketball celebrated the 2015-16 season on Sunday, April 10, at the annual postseason banquet hosted by the Courtsiders. Head coach Matt Bollant and his staff recognized Illinois' five seniors, Eriel Davis, Sarah Hartwell, Simone Law, Kyley Simmons and Alexis Viliunas, in addition to presenting the team awards.

In addition to being honored with the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award this season, redshirt Senior Kyley Simmons was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year. Simmons started in all of Illinois' 30 games this season, averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. She added 42 steals to her total also. Simmons also received the program's Ralf Woods Free Throw Award for the second consecutive season. She shot 80-percent from the charity stripe during the 2015-16 campaign, and graduates as a 78.3-percent free throw shooter in the Orange and Blue.  

Freshman Alex Wittinger received the team's Most Improved Award on Sunday. In her first season with the Illini, Wittinger earned 18 starts in her 28 games played. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice during the year and was a major contributor as she averaged 10 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. 

For the second consecutive season, sophomore Chatrice White was named the team's Most Valuable Player. An All-Big Ten Second Team honoree, White tallied 18 double-doubles on the season to lead the Big Ten and rank 13th in the country. She led UI as she averaged 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, and she became the second-fastest Illini to score 1,000 career points as she reached the millenium mark in her 61st game in the Orange and Blue. 

Redshirt senior Sarah Hartwell was presented with the Courtsiders Coaches Award, an award that recognizes student-athletes for their contributions both on and off the court. Hartwell was a major contributor for the Illini on the court and a member of the starting lineup, but she is also a leader off the court. Hartwell spends much of her time volunteering in the local community and was also nominated for the WBCA's Good Works Team this season. 

2015-16 Women's Basketball Team Awards

Most Valuable Player: Chatrice White

Most Improved: Alex Wittinger

Ralf Woods Free Throw Award: Kyley Simmons

Defensive Player of the Year: Kyley Simmons

Courtsiders Coaches Award: Sarah Hartwell