PORTLAND, Ore. – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced its Women's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team on Tuesday afternoon, with Seattle Pacific's
Layne Kearns being featured on the squad.
"Layne is a strong, physical athlete who can score from all three levels on the court," head coach
Karen Byers said. "She is powerful in the weight room, and you can see her strength when she plays. She consistently demonstrates strong teamwork, actively supporting others, and contributes to a positive team environment."
Kearns returns to the Falcons after a strong 2024-25 season. She started all 31 games for the Falcons last season, averaging 10.6 points per game and five rebounds per game. Kearns was one of the best free throw shooters in the conference last season. She went 68-for-78 from the free throw line and had a free throw percentage of .872. It was the second-best in the GNAC last season.
Kearns ranked second on the team and 22nd in the conference with 10.6 points per game season ago. She ranked 19th in the conference with five rebounds per game.
Kearns had several big moments for the Falcons last season. She scored a career-high 20 points against NNU on Feb.13, 2025. In that same game, she had a career-high 11 rebounds for the Falcons. It was her only double-double of the season.
The GNAC announced its Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll on Oct. 14, with the Falcons slated for a ninth-place finish by the league's coaches. The Falcons are coming off an 8-23 season in 2024-25. They won five games on their home court last season. Head coach
Karen Byers' interim tag was removed last May. Under Byers, the Falcons saw a jump in offense throughout the 2024-25 season. SPU averaged 65.6 points per game, eight more points per game than the previous season. They shot 39.8 percent from the field in their increased offense.
The Falcons tip off their season at home, hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills, Western Washington, and Cal State LA in the GNACC-CCAA Challenge Nov. 14-15. The Falcons play the Golden Eagles on Nov. 14, followed by a game against the Toros on Nov. 15. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. inside Royal Brougham Pavilion.
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