College of the Canyons women’s basketball has earned a No. 16 national ranking in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for two-year schools.

Canyons is one of seven 3C2A schools included in the two-year rankings and one of three from the Southern California region. Additionally, COC is the only institution from the Western State Conference to be honored.

The recognition comes following COC women’s basketball head coach Robin Hester’s first season at the helm.

“Academic achievement is the most important measure of success in our program,” said Hester. “I am pleased that, as a group, we were able to achieve this recognition.”

The Cougars combined to post a 3.176 team GPA during the 2024-25 academic year.

Individually, freshman Leyna Le and sophomores Kiana Postchy and Sami Rodriguez performed well enough academically to be considered for Academic All-State honors in the coming months.

“I am especially proud of Kiana, Sami and Leyna for their extraordinary effort in the classroom this past year,” said Hester.

The program also saw Postchy, Rodriguez and Alissa Saridin graduate as part of the college’s 2025 class.

“Now, the challenge for this year’s group is to match and improve on last year’s efforts,” Hester added.

COC’s Team Honor Roll ranking represents the 21st time Hester has been on the coaching staff of a team recognized by the WBCA for academic achievement, including Victor Valley College in 1997 and Ventura College for 19 of the 20 years he served on the bench (2004-2023).

The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes college women’s basketball teams across the nation in their respective divisions that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season.

“The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women’s basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom,” said WBCA Executive director Danielle Donehew. “The 119 teams we honor this year strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!”

The 2024-25 season is the 30th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls. A full listing of recognized programs from the NCAA, NAIA and two-year level is included here.

Stay up to date on all this season’s action by visiting COCAthletics.com and on social media at @COCathletics on X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.