Vanguard University senior Nicole Ballestero has been named NAIA Player of the Year in women's basketball.
The 5-foot-8 guard was joined on the 11-player All-American first team by senior teammate Taylor Belmont.
Ballestero averaged 23 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for the Lions, who were ranked No. 1 all season and won the Golden State Athletic Conference regular-season title.
Vanguard was upset in the second round of the NAIA Tournament to finish 27-2.
A two-time first-team All-American, Ballestero becomes the fifth Vanguard standout to be named National Player of the Year, joining former honorees Lisa Faulkner, Kelly Schmidt, Jessica Richter and Bridgette Reyes.