BENNINGTON, Vt. — Southern Vermont College sophomore catcher Nicole Matthews (Pittstown, N.Y.) has been named to the 2016 All-New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Third Team, as announced by the league on Monday, while freshman outfielder Carissa Bottisti (Amsterdam, N.Y.) was selected to the league's All-Sportsmanship Team.

In her first year at SVC, Matthews had a terrific season which saw her be named the NECC and Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III New England Player of the Week one time. She racked up 36 hits to lead the team and tie for the 16th-most in the Conference. The sophomore was also 16th in the league with 24 RBIs.

She ranked second in the NECC in both batting average (.522) and on-base percentage (.582) while leading the league with an .884 slugging percentage. Matthews put up her slugging percentage with 15 extra-base hits, registering eight doubles, four triples and three home runs in the 2016 campaign. Her batting average was the best-ever by a Mountaineer in a single season (at least 50 at bats) while her on-base percentage was also a new program high.

"Nicole played a key role in leadership for us this season, both on and off the field," commented SVC third-year head coach Alyssa Davis, "while also being one of the largest offensive threats in the Conference. I'm excited to see where she ends up over the next two years."

Bottisti was limited to action in just 11 games, getting four RBIs and three runs scored in that time. She played the game the right way with a positive and supportive attitude, exemplifying the NECC sportsmanship statement.

"Carissa was the heart and soul of our team all season," Davis noted. "She's the hardest-working athlete on our roster and is also the best supporter and teammate to everyone around her. There is no one who could represent us better in sportsmanship."