WEST LIBERTY -- West Liberty women’s basketball standout Tori Hansen can now add the designation of “All-American” to her growing list of honors. The Hilltoppers’ 5-8 guard from Waterford, Pa. was a third-team selection when the Division II Bulletin announced its 2009 Women’s All-America teams earlier this week.

Hansen was the only West Virginia Conference player named to any of the four All-America teams and one of only two sophomores listed among the nation’s top 20 Division II women’s basketball players.

Two WVIAC seniors – West Virginia Wesleyan’s Sara Van Horn and Charleston’s Jihan Williams – were among those receiving honorable mention. Despite being forced to play out of position at the point guard spot for much of the season, Hansen put together a spectacular campaign while leading West Liberty to a 24-7 record.

The versatile backcourter was named WVIAC Player of the Year in voting by the conference coaches after averaging 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.6 steals a game for the surprising Hilltoppers, who won 15 of their last 16 regular-season games to finish in a virtual dead heat with Charleston at the top of the WVIAC standings.

Hansen was equally impressive in the WVIAC Tournament, leading West Liberty to a championship game showdown against Charleston. The Golden Eagles came from behind in the final seconds to pull out the win but Hansen’s contributions did not go unnoticed. She was selected by the media as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player – only the second time the award went to a player from the tournament runner-up in the event’s 30-year history – and was also presented with the prestigious Commissioner’s Heart and Hustle Award.

In addition to her conference laurels, Hansen was also a second-team selection on the Daktronics NCAA Division II All-Atlantic Region Team and was honored earlier this season as an Academic All-District selection. She carries a 4.0 grade-point average as a Mathematics Education major.