Kaye makes Canada West first all-star team

By Justin Seward

A spot on the Canada West first all-star team is no easy feat — the last time a Dino won this honour was in 2008. When fifth-year point guard Jenna Kaye transferred to the University of Calgary this year, she stepped onto the court with the women’s basketball team and immediately strengthened the Dinos’s defence and pushed her teammates to succeed.

Kaye finished in the top 10 in the conference in eight different categories, including most points, rebounds and assists per game. She was also the team’s leading scorer with an average of 14.6 points and 5.5 assists per game. She played an average of 31.5 minutes per game. Kaye was recognized with the first team all-star award for her accomplishments.

The Dinos women’s basketball team had a tremendous year, with a record of 14-6 in the regular season. Veteran Kaye credits a lot of the recognition she received to how the team played during the regular season.

“It’s nice to be recognized by other coaches in the league. It says a lot about our team because first team all-stars are not on losing teams. So, our record is what got me on the first team,” said Kaye.

The experience Kaye has brought to the team has helped lead to their offensive success.

“I don’t think I went into the season with any personal expectations, because I wanted to see how our team was coming together,” she said. “The reason I did well in every statistical category is because I had a great supporting staff with my team and coaches. They gave me the ability to make decisions and this year I have been a lot more patient.”

The Dinos head coach Shawnee Harle praised her star player and said she feels honoured to coach such a high-calibre player.

“You have no idea how hard it is to get on the Canada West first all-star team,” said Harle. “It is the toughest conference in the country and for Jenna [Kaye] to be nominated by the Canada West coaches is a tremendous honour. She is the first player in the gym and the last to leave. She understands the value of hard work and commitment.”

“She has earned this award and I am so happy that all of her hard work has paid off in such a big way,” added Harle.

Kaye attended Dalhousie University and the University of Prince Edward Island before she transferred to the U of C for her final year of law. She said there were a lot of factors in her decision to come west.

“I played three years at upei and my third year I was a second team all-Canadian. Then I played my first year mba at Dalhousie and I was an all-star there,” said Kaye. “There were a lot of factors that came together. On one hand, I am going to work at a law firm when I graduate. I transferred to finish my law degree here at the U of C, and playing here made the best of both worlds.”

The U of C women’s basketball team is hosting the Canadian Interuniversity Sport final-eight championship from March 17-19.

“I think individual awards take a back seat to the bigger goal of winning nationals. At the end of the day, we win or lose as a team and we are going to try to be the best we can be,” she said.