RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC Riverside's Mitzi Duarte has been named to the All-Big West Second Team, capping off a breakout 2024-25 campaign in which she emerged as one of the most consistent scorers in the conference.

Duarte posted a 72.8 scoring average across 29 rounds this season, the best mark on the team and one of the top averages in the Big West. She was a counting scorer in 96 percent of her rounds, underscoring her reliability and impact throughout the lineup.

"Mitzi has had a great year and is so deserving of this Big West recognition," said coach Mary Ritchie "Her scoring average has dropped from 76 last year to 72.8 which is a tremendous accomplishment. Mitzi plays with incredible maturity on the course; she has power, finesse and a rock steady demeanor which has inspired our entire team to one of our best seasons in many years."

The sophomore delivered 16 rounds of par or better and finished inside the top-10 in five tournaments, including a runner-up finish at the Fresno State Classic where she posted a 54-hole score of 212.

Duarte was instrumental in leading the Highlanders to four team runner-up finishes in 2024-25, including standout performances at the UVU Wolverine Classic, UCR Soboba Spring Classic, SSU Pizza Hut Invitational, and the Fresno State Classic.

Her All-Big West recognition marks a significant milestone in her career and reflects her growth as a key contributor in UC Riverside's rise this season.