L to R: Molly Lutmer, Cassie Nash, Haley Rasmussen

Posted: Feb 28, 2024

Nash repeats as defensive MVP, two others named first team all-conference

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – For the second year in a row, Cassie Nash has been named the American Rivers Conference Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named first team all-conference along with senior Molly Lutmer and junior Haley Rasmussen.

Nash was the first Simpson women's basketball player to earn defensive player of the year accolades since 2013 last season and is now the only two-time honoree in program history. She is now a four-time all-conference performer in basketball as well, earning second team recognition in 2021 followed by three straight first team nods.

A couple of constant threats from downtown, Lutmer and Rasmussen both landed on the all-conference first team, giving Simpson at least three first team honorees for just the third time in program history. The Storm had the most first-teamers this season amongst all A-R-C schools.

Simpson ended the season with a 14-12 overall record and 9-7 mark in A-R-C- play. The Storm led the conference in points per game (74.0) and steals per game (12.31), while finishing second in field goal percentage (0.438), 3-point percentage (0.339) and assists per game (15.48)

Cassie Nash, Defensive Player of the Year

Senior guard from Lincoln, Neb.
Garners her second defensive player of the year award and fourth all-conference honor
Averaged 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.3 blocks in 23 games
Led the conference with 74 steals overall
Ranked second in the league with 93 assists and third with 31 blocks
Shot 57.9 percent overall (12th in DIII) and 58.6 percent against conference opponents
Scored double-digit points in all but four games, notching eight games of 20+ points
Recorded three double-doubles
Named A-R-C Player of the Week on Feb. 5
Selected to D3hoops.com Team of the Week on Feb. 6

Molly Lutmer, First Team

Senior guard from Perry, Iowa
Led the conference with 64 made 3-pointers, including 42 in league contests
Averaged 12.6 points per league game to rank seventh in the conference
Scored in double figures in 16 games, surpassing 20 points four times
Hit five or more 3-pointers on six occasions throughout the season
Was one of three Storm players to haul in 100+ rebounds
Added 34 steals, 34 assists and two blocks

Haley Rasmussen, First Team

Junior guard from Atlantic, Iowa
Earns her second all-conference honor after being named second team as a sophomore
Knocked down 54 triples to rank third in the league
Scored 30 of her 54 3-point baskets against A-R-C opponents to average 12.3 points
Had at least one long-range basket in all but three games
Registered double-digit scoring in 17 games
Made a team-best 80.0 percent of her free throws (40 of 50)
Recorded 55 assists and 45 steals to rank second on the team in both categories
Finished the year with 34 rebounds and four blocks as well
Named A-R-C Athlete of the Week on Nov. 27