Cortland, NY – The State University of New York Athletic Conference announced the 2017-18 All-Conference team Tuesday, and junior guards Rachel Simon and Lindsay Bettke were both named First-Team selections.To view the full SUNYAC All-Conference teams, click here.
 
Lindsay Bettke, junior guard (Pelham, NY/The Ursuline School)

A Second-Team All-SUNYAC selection last season, Bettke led the Hawks this season whether she was on the floor, or on the bench. The Pelham, NY native played in 23 of 27 games, and despite being sidelined with an ankle sprain midway through the year, still accumulated 681 minutes played on the year where she finished second on the team in points per game (12.5), tied for top in assists (63) and second in steals (40), while also averaging 38 percent from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range and 2.8 rebounds per game. Bettke posted a season-high 26 points in the Hawks' season-opener against Westfield State University, recorded four or more assists five times this season, including a season-high of seven twice against Eastern Connecticut and Westfield State, respectively, and totaled a season-high six rebounds against The College at Brockport and SUNY Cortland.
"Lindsay was our backbone," said SUNY New Paltz coach Jamie Seward. "Her presence alone created opportunities for everyone, and despite being the main focus of each opponents defense, she still scored over 12 points per game and had some huge games along the way."

Rachel Simon, junior guard (Wallkill, NY/Wallkill High School)

A transfer from Caldwell University, Simon made an immediate impact for the Hawks this season. She was only one of two players to start all 27 games and she ended up leading the team in scoring, averaging 14.3 points per game. Arguably the best shooter in the conference, Simon averaged 42.1 percent from the field, including 40.1 percent from behind the arc. She clocked in 814 minutes played this season, which ranked second on the team, and was top-5 in almost every statistical category for SUNY New Paltz including, rebounds (120), assists (63), steals (51) and blocks (five), while averaging 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and nearly two steals per game. She went on a five-game stretch in the middle of the season against Plattsburgh State, SUNY Potsdam, Buffalo State, Fredonia State and SUNY Geneseo where she either matched or surpassed her season-high point total, which ended up at 23 against the Knights on Feb. 9. The Wallkill, NY native posted a double-double in a road victory against the Cardinals on Feb. 17, recording 20 points and 12 rebounds – which was also a season-high. Additionally, Simon recorded four or more assists in five games this year, totaling a season-high of five three times. 
"Rachel was a tremendous addition to our team," Seward said. "She fit in immediately and brought a great deal of enthusiasm with her. When Lindsay and Paige [Niemeyer] were out [with injuries], Rachel stepped up and went on a remarkable scoring run, scoring 18 or more in nine straight games to keep our postseason aspirations afloat."