Haynes named WHAC Defensive Player of the Week

DEFIANCE, Ohio - True freshman guard Taylor Haynes earned Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for her strong efforts in the Yellow Jackets' past two contests, the conference announced on Monday. 

Across Defiance's last two games, Haynes held a stealth defensive stance, most notably notching 11 total steals. The Yellow Jackets began the week on Wednesday against NCCAA opponent Kuyper, securing the 63-60 win, with much credit to Haynes' four steals, six defensive rebounds, a block and, additionally, 10 points. Most recently, despite falling to conference foe Cleary on Saturday, Haynes continued to dominate her game with seven steals, topped by three defensive boards. 

Haynes has become a staple in Defiance's game plan over the second half of the season, which includes three starts. Thus far, she has contributed 48 total points and, across the last five games, averages 3.4 steals per contest. 

With this recognition, Haynes became the first student-athlete from a Defiance College basketball program this season to earn a weekly award, as well as the first since DC joined the WHAC ahead of the 2024-25 season. Haynes is also the first player under second-year head coach Courtney Peay to earn a conference Player of the Week honor, and the first Yellow Jacket woman since Nysha Speed in November 2021. 

Both the women's and men's teams will be in action twice this week at the Karl H. Weaner Center. At Wednesday's double-header, Defiance faces Lawrence Tech as the women tip off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday's back-to-back contests begin with a 1 p.m. tip.

-JACKETS-