All season, NIU’s post duo of Mickey Johnson and Jennifer Youngblood had Mid-American Conference coaches searching for a way to stop them.

Those same coaches recognized their efforts, naming Johnson to the All-MAC Second Team and awarding Youngblood special mention honors.

The MAC News Media Association also named Youngblood to the MAC All-Freshman team, marking the second straight year a Huskie received the honor. Sophomore Kristan Knake made the squad last season.

Despite leading NIU in scoring last season averaging 13.9, Johnson didn’t make the squad last year. The senior continued her solid play this season, averaging 11.6 points and 6.5 rebounds.

“This is definitely a well-deserved honor,” said NIU coach Carol Hammerle. “I think [Johnson] is the most talented post player in the MAC. She’s been an exceptional player for us.”

Youngblood, who has shot 64 percent during 16 MAC games and a team-best 55 percent for the season, has been one of the conference’s biggest surprises. In addition to averaging 12 points a game, she also led the MAC in offensive rebounds and double-doubles.

“Jennifer has been by far the most consistent and hardest-working player for this team this season,” Hammerle said. “So it’s a well-deserved honor for her to be named to the honorable mention All-MAC. She has demonstrated why she is among the top players in the conference, and I’m looking forward to having her with this program for three more years.”

Ball State’s Johna Goff won MAC Freshman of the Year honors and the Cardinal’s Tamara Bowie. Youngblood finished third in the voting for Freshman of the Year.

On the MAC’s First-Team is Ball State’s Tamara Bowie, Kent State’s Julie Studer, Buffalo’s Tiffany Bell, Toledo’s Kahli Carter and Eastern Michigan’s

Stephanie Smiley.