McNelis, Dinkins, Hailes humbled to receive conference honors

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Lady Eagles played some great basketball so far this season, as they have an overall record of (21-9) and a conference record of (13-5).

A few members from the team recently received Conference USA honors.

Head coach, Joye Lee-McNelis has been named Conference USA’s Coach of the Year. Senior guard, Brittanny Dinkins earned Conference USA's Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and also made the All-Defensive Team. And, freshman guard, Shonte Hailes earned a spot on the conference All-Freshman Team.

"It felt wonderful and I'm very thankful and humbled to get this award...to be in a group with a bunch of more Lady Eagles that also got this award," said Hailes.

"I'm grateful, I'm humbled to receive such awards. That was something that I have developed tremendously going into this year was defensive (award). I remember when I was a freshman, and coach was like 'you can't guard a soul.' And kind of had to figure out where to put me. But, to elevate in that aspect means a lot. Because, it lets her know that I've listened and I was willing to get better, and I did," said Dinkins.

"Those awards are very nice and I'm very humbled that the coaches would vote for me. But, you know the truth of the matter is coaches never make a shot. You know, we don't. It is truly about the players. They're the ones that have given us the opportunity to win 21 games. And, I have a great coaching staff that works extremely hard," said McNelis.

The Lady Eagles will play their first game of the conference tournament on Thursday against the winner of Old Dominion and UTEP.