Youngstown, Ohio — Casey Santoro was named the Coach Ed DiGregorio Most Valuable Player of the history-making 2025-26 women's basketball season at Youngstown State. Santoro was one of several Penguins recognized individually at the program's postseason banquet on Tuesday evening at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Social Hall.
In addition to Santoro's team MVP award, Dacia Lewandowski received the Core Value Award, and Erica King earned the Most Improved Player award. Sarah Baker and Danielle Cameron were recognized for setting school records, and Baker, Santoro, Sophia Gregory and Paulina Hernandez were heralded for their All-Horizon League recognition.
With fans and supporters in attendance to celebrate the team's success, Head Coach Melissa Jackson expressed gratitude for the community that rallied behind the Penguins in 2025-26. Youngstown State finished with a 25-10 record, posting the second-highest win total in program history. YSU also advanced to the Horizon League Championship game for the first time in program history and won a game in the Postseason WNIT for the first time in 13 years. Jackson thanked the university and athletics leadership teams, the program's assistant coaches and support staff, and the passionate fans who cheer on the Penguins.
Santoro, a sixth-year senior who transferred to Youngstown State for her final season, earned the Coach DiGregorio MVP honor after leading the Penguins in points, assists and minutes in 2025-26. The native of Bellevue, Ohio, set the school record for most minutes in a season, and she was named to the All-Horizon League Second-Team and the Horizon League All-Tournament Team. Jackson, as she did throughout the season, praised Santoro's leadership from the point guard position for a young Penguins team.
Lewandowski, a sophomore from Butler, Pa., earned the Core Value Award for embodying the team's five core values of family passion, toughness, commitment and gratitude. The guard played in 31 games at several different positions for the Penguins this season, and she was a team captain for the second straight season.
King improved statistically in every category from her freshman to her sophomore year and earned the program's Most Improved Player award. She increased her scoring from 5.5 points to 9.9 points per game while posting 80 more rebounds, 66 more assists, 31 more 3-pointers and 31 more steals. The guard from Akron, Ohio, was also frequently tasked with defending the opposing team's top guard.
