KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Carroll College Fighting Saints senior Hannah Dean earned first team All-American status while sophomore Christine Denny was an honorable mention, the NAIA announced on Thursday. 

"I am really happy for Hannah," Saints coach Rachelle Sayers said. "This is a kid that texted me Sunday, after we lost out at the National tourney last year, to ask if I'd let her into the gym. I said no, you need at least a week off. That Friday morning at 7 a.m. I got a text that said, 'it's been a week, see you at the gym!' That's what makes this award so special. She earned it. She worked tirelessly. She gave everything she had, every day, to me, to her teammates and for the love of the game. I'm going to miss coaching that kid like crazy. But I know this, she left this program better than she found it. The example she set is one that will live in this program for a long time. It's not every day you get a chance to coach a player/person like Hannah Dean. I'm proud to say that I did." 

The honor caps off a remarkable career for one of the best Saints to ever don the Purple and Gold. 

Dean led the Saints in most statistical categories this season. The senior from Gardiner, Montana, finished the season averaging 15 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and one block per game. She shot 47 percent from the field, 20 percent from the three-point line and 84 percent from the foul line.

She was a second team All-American last season and recently named a WBCA All-American honorable mention. She earned first team all-conference honors while also being named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year. 

Dean finished her career with 1,382 points, 846 rebounds, 276 assists, 164 steals and 162 blocks. 

Denny provided the Saints with a bit of everything this season. The sophomore from Fairfield, Washington, averaged 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. She shot 42 percent from the field, 29 percent from deep and 80 percent from the free-throw line. 

"Christine is the ultimate warrior," Sayers said. "In her Sophomore year she started at four different positions, and not once did she question or complain about her situation. She just dug in and went to work because she knew that is what her teammates and coaches needed from her. Christine just flat out competes, and I love that about her. I also love we get two more years with her here."

Denny was also named a second team All-Frontier performer this season. 

The two were a part of a Saints team that posted 26 wins, the most of Rachelle Sayers' tenure as head coach. They helped drive the Saints to the second round of the NAIA Tournament, where they fell to eventually national runner-up Oklahoma City by one point.