COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.— For the first time in school history, women's basketball head coach Mario Caetano was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Coach of the Year by conference officials on Wednesday morning.
Joining Caetano earning honors from the conference, as voted by conference head coaches, was freshman
Harmanie Dominguez, who was named to the All-RMAC Second Team.
Kiiyani Anitielu,
Angelline Nageak and
Elaina Watson were all named honorable mention.
Caetano, just in his second season after being named interim head coach last season, had that tag removed this past offseason to officially become the tenth head coach in school history.
Through the past two years, Caetano sits fourth in ASU history in wins with an overall record of 33-23.
"We made shots," said a stunned Caetano on Wednesday morning upon learning of the award. "Girls made shot made me look good, they missed shots and made me look bad, but this honor is all them."
He led the Grizzlies to a 16-6 conference record and the No. 4 seed at the RMAC Tournament. Heading into postseason play, Caetano has Adams State ranked fifth in the nation with 13.4 team steals per game. The Grizzlies also stand fifth nationally with an 8.4 turnover margin and sixth in the country with 23.3 turnovers forced per game. Caetano led his team to a 14-1 regular-season record at home on the year and wins in seven of its last eight RMAC contests.
Dominquez, was the top scorer for the Grizzlies as she averaged 12.6 points per game.
Nageak ranks fourth in the nation in steals with 93.
Antilielu is second on the Grizzlies in scoring as she averages 10.8.
Watson was second on the team in steals with 67.
The Grizzlies, who won Tuesday night's quarterfinal game against Westminster, 71-48, to continue their quest in the 2023 RMAC Women's Basketball Tournament will play No. 1 seeded Regis on Friday at 5:00 p.m. inside the Regis Field House.
