March 9, 2015
Brandon Applehans
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Senior Abby Kirchoff is the 2014-15 RMAC Player of the Year for women’s basketball.
Kirchoff was selected as the RMAC preseason player of the year the past two seasons, and took some heat in the process.
“There was added pressure, as there was last year,” she said. “However, it’s a huge recognition. I just kept it in the back of my mind though because I just wanted to win with my team. Preseason player of the year was just a bonus.”
She averages 19.8 points, 3.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds per contest. Kirchoff is second in the South Central Region in points per game and is the fi rst Mountain Lion in school history to be awarded the honor.
Kirchoff received the news when she was on the road before the Regis game Feb. 27 and remembers the moment vividly.
“We were at our shoot-around for Regis when I found out,” she said. “My assistant coach said, ‘Your phone is about to blow up.’ And then I knew.”
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I was glad my team was there with me because I know how happy they are for me. I even got a little emotional because my dad was there when I found out and I know how proud he was.”
The Mountain Lions went on to defeat the Rangers that evening, splitting the regular season 1-1. UCCS then faced Regis for the second time in five days in the first round of the RMAC Shootout.
The team defeated Regis again, helped by a 19-point night from Kirchoff, who helped give UCCS a 22-point lead going into halftime.
UCCS defeated the Rangers 90-72, as the Mountain Lions advance out of the first round, a task that last year’s team fell short of.
“I thought that first playoff game was amazing,” said Kirchoff. “We came out exactly how we needed to win that game. We won it in the first five minutes and never let up. It was definitely a team win.”
“We are peaking at the exact time we need to.”
After success in her freshman and sophomore years, Kirchoff remained at UCCS and enjoyed every year.
“It’s been the best four years of my life,” she said. “I don’t want to leave these teammates of mine that I basically call my sisters.”
“We are going for that championship and we’ve been preparing for it since day one,” she said. “We’re ready for anything and anyone.”
Kirchoff aims to one day become an athletic director or work in a profession dealing with sports.