Ross was named CCAA Player of the Year, as he anchored an Aggie team that compiled a 22-6 record and won the conference. The senior from Oakland led the team in scoring with 14.5 points per game, along with an average of 3.1 rebounds and four assists per game. Ross scored 27 points in a six-point win against Cal State Chico on Jan. 23.

He was also an invaluable asset in the team's National Championship run last year. Ross was also named to the First Team All-Region. For Ross, however, individual honors are not as important as team accomplishments.

"It's nice to hear, but it doesn't really mean anything," he said. "Without my teammates I would not been able to accomplish so much, so I thank them for that."

UCD head coach Brian Fogel sees the honor as a tribute to Ross' immense contribution to the team this past season.

"It's quite an honor and a great accomplishment," he said. "I'm very happy for Dante - he's very deserving of the award. What people don't realize is how important Dante was from Monday through Thursday through his leadership. He's going to be very tough to replace."

Along with Ross, junior Jason Cox was named to the All-CCAA First Team. Cox averaged 13 points, and he led the team with 5.4 rebounds per outing. The Chula Vista native recorded his biggest game of the season against San Francisco State University on Jan. 30 when he pounded the Gators for 25 points.

Senior wing J.C. Timmons received an honorable mention after contributing 10.6 points and nearly two assists per game.

UCD women's head coach Sandy Simpson was named the CCAA Coach of the Year, as he led the Aggies to a 25-4 record, en route to a conference championship.

"The main thing has to be Sandy being named Coach of the Year," junior wing Kristin Coolidge said. "To take a conference championship with such a young team in his first year and to take them to the regional championship is a testament to the job he's done."

Simpson, who has compiled a 54-7 in two seasons of coaching UCD, feels that the honor is a team accomplishment.

"Coaching awards are recognitions of team's success," Simpson said. "Everybody has a hand in that. When you win league, it's usually something that goes along with it."

Junior post Des Abeyta, from Sacramento, was named First Team All-Region, after averaging 13.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. She had her biggest game this year Jan. 30, when she pounded the Gators for 22 points.

"My mom told me before (Friday's) game, but I didn't believe her," Abeyta said. "She doesn't know what she's talking about sometimes."

Coolidge, along with Abeyta, was also named to the All-CCAA First Team. Coolidge was tied for second on the team in scoring with 11.9 ppg, as well as second in assists (3.76 apg), rebounds (5.2 rpg), steals (2.59 spg) and three-pointers made (37 in 29 games).

Senior guard Karyn Castro was named to the All-CCAA Second Team. Castro, along with leading the team in steals (3 spg) and assists (4.0 apg). With 303 steals, Castro broke the school record for most career steals.

Castro is the only graduating senior this year, so the Aggies have limitless potential for a strong postseason run next year.