Arizona Western sophomore Mable Doumbia is named ACCAC women's basketball "Player of the Year" and a member of the All-Region I first team. Freshman Chen Pan is named to the All-Region I second team. The news was handed down nearly three days after the Lady Matadors ended regular season play over the weekend. Doumbia was named ACCAC "Player of the Week" twice during the regular season and a NJCAA DI "Player of the Week" designation. In 26 games this season, Doumbia averaged 16.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, dished out four assists per game and shot 55.4% from the floor. Doumbia compiled nine double doubles during the season including four of her final five games to end the regular season. Mable scored a career high 38 points against Central Arizona on February 14th and followed that performance with a 32-point performance on February 18th at Cochise College. Doumbia also pulled down a career high 15 rebounds on February 4th at Southern Nevada. 

"Her motor is a night and day difference from her freshman season," Head Coach Chelsea Dewey said. "Her consistency and her confidence, if she misses a shot, her play doesn't drop. Just being consistent no matter how the ball falls. She is pleasant to be around, tremendous to watch and an everyday kid. That's every coach's dream is to have an everyday kid that gives you everything they have, no matter the circumstances."

Coach Dewey says it's always wonderful to find top talent like Doumbia and in another budding star, Chen Pan from Taiwan. 

"They make us look like really good coaches when you find really good talent and they believe in your vision," Dewey said. "It's always a good thing when you see a little something and trust that belief."

Both players are not native to the United States and faced more than just the challenge of competing at the NJCAA level. 

"Coming to a new country was full of challenges, whether it was the language, culture, or the differences on and off the court," Chen Pan said. "At the beginning, I definitely felt some pressure. However, over time, I was able to adjust to the environment and perform well. That made me feel happy and proud, and the experience has been very meaningful to me. It has also given me much more confidence in myself."

Pan says she knew the competition at this level would be very intense, but she believed in herself.

"For me, reaching this level was my goal," Pan said. "I didn't know what my limits were, so I really wanted to challenge myself. As time went on and I was able to contribute to the team, it gave me the confidence to believe that I could compete at this level."

Now, nearing the end of her freshman year, Chen has proved to herself and her teammates that she belongs. In 29 games this year, Chen was second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.8 PPG and shooting 42% from three-point range. She scored over 20 points in a game four times, including a career high 23 points twice.  

"This recognition is an honor for me," Pan said. "I am very grateful to my coaches and teammates, because none of this would have been possible without their help. This acknowledgment also motivates me to keep working hard and continue becoming a better player."

Coach Dewey says having players like Doumbia and Pan is a blessing not only on game days, but also during practices.

"Sometimes they're kind of competing against each other," Dewey said. "Theu both have a different game IQ, they just see things before they happen." 

The Lady Matadors postseason begins this Saturday when they host Central Arizona in the Region I Semi-finals. Tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. MST in The House. 

Admission is $10 at the door for the general public and $7 for seniors, military and non-Arizona Western students over the age of 12 years old. 

Mable Doumbia was not available for comment, check back on Tuesday for an update