CHENEY, Wash. — A trio of Eastern Washington University underclassmen, including former Roseburg High standout Julie Piper, have been selected by the league's head coaches to the Big Sky Conference women's basketball all-conference team released Monday.

Piper was selected the Big Sky's most valuable player — Eastern Washington's first-ever recipient of that award — and headed the first-team picks. EWU sophomore Brianne Ryan was selected as the co-Defensive Player of the Year and junior Kyla Evans earned second-team accolades.

Piper received honorable mention all-Big Sky as a sophomore. She led the Eagles to a 19-10 overall record and 12-4 finish in Big Sky play as EWU won its first-ever conference regular season title.

Piper was the lone Eastern player to average in double figures in scoring, averaging 12.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

“The MVP honor is well deserved,” said EWU coach Wendy Schuller. “Julie is unselfish and cares about the team first. She has worked really hard as a basketball player and I am very excited for her. Her teammates will be happy for her because she cares so much about the team. She represents our program to the highest degree in so many ways that it's nice to see her be recognized with an award like this.”

Piper was joined on the first team by senior Oana lacovita of Idaho State, senior Charday Hunt of Sacramento State, senior Claire Faucher of Portland State, senior Erica Perry of Montana State and senior Whitley Cox of Northern Colorado. Piper, lacovita and Faucher were unanimous selections.

Piper also was honored as the Big Sky player of the week for games played the week of March 1-7. She had 20 points and 13 rebounds as the Eagles defeated Portland State 78-68 last Saturday at Reese Court.

Eastern Washington is hosting the conference tournament this weekend as the No. 1 seed.