Meri Kanerva Named to BIG EAST All-Freshman Team

NEW YORK - Meri Kanerva was named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team on Thursday morning. The awards were voted on by the leagues head coaches.

Kanerva leads the team in scoring (10.7) and assists (3.3). The freshman guard has added 36 steals and 34 three pointers. She ranks fourth among BIG EAST freshman in scoring and third in assists.

The Espoo, Finland, native ranks sixth all-time at Xavier in freshman scoring average. She also ranks tied for second in assists per game average (3.3).

Kanerva has 96 assists this season, ranking third all-time at Xavier in assists by a freshman. She is three assists away from passing Miranda Green (03-04) and moving into second place.

Kanerva is the first Xavier player to record 95 or more assists in a season since Shaila Beeler in 2021-22 (117 assists).

She becomes the fourth Musketeer to earn BIG EAST All-Freshman Team honors: Meri Kanerva (2024-25), Aizhanique Mayo (2023-24), Fernanda Ovalle (2022-23) and Aaliyah Dunham (2017-18).

ALL-TIME BIG EAST HONOREES

2024-25 - Meri Kanerva - All-Freshman Team
2023-24 - Aizhanique Mayo - All-Freshman Team
2022-23 - Fernanda Ovalle - All-Freshman Team
2021-22 - Ayanna Townsend - Scholar-Athlete of the Year
2019-20 - A'riana Gray - Honorable Mention
2018-19 - A'riana Gray - Honorable Mention
2017-18 - Aaliyah Dunham - All-Freshman Team
2016-17 - Raeshaun Gaffney - Honorable Mention
2015-16 - Briana Glover - Honorable Mention
2013-14 - Maddison Blackwell - All-Freshman Team

2024-25 ALL-BIG EAST SELECTIONS

FIRST TEAM*
Paige Bueckers, UConn, R-Sr., G^
Azzi Fudd, UConn, Gr., G
Sarah Strong, UConn, Fr., F^
Lauren Jensen, Creighton, Sr., G^
Morgan Maly, Creighton, Sr., G/F^
Jorie Allen, DePaul, Gr., F
Kelsey Ransom, Georgetown, Gr., G
Skylar Forbes, Marquette, So., F
Jada Eads, Seton Hall, Fr., G
Faith Masonius, Seton Hall, Gr., F
Jasmine Bascoe, Villanova, Fr., G

SECOND TEAM
Kilyn McGuff, Butler, Sr., G
Lee Volker, Marquette, Sr., G
Grace Efosa, Providence, Gr., G
Lashae Dwyer, St. John's, Sr., G
Maddie Webber, Villanova, So., G

HONOR ROLL
Molly Mogensen, Creighton, Gr., G
Taylor Johnson-Matthews, DePaul, Jr., G
Ariel Jenkins, Georgetown, Sr., C
Olivia Olsen, Providence, Sr., F

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Sarah Strong, UConn, Fr., F^
Khadee Hession, Georgetown, Fr., G
Jada Eads, Seton Hall, Fr., G^
Jasmine Bascoe, Villanova, Fr., G^
Meri Kanerva, Xavier, Fr., G

* Due to a tie in voting, there are 11 players on the first team.
^ unanimous selection

Schedule

Upcoming Events