Benedictine University Mesa

Alize Ruiz, from Las Cruces, is a remarkable athlete who began her journey at Benedictine University in 2023. A graduate of Mayfield High School, Alize earned numerous accolades, including Athlete of the Year, multiple Athlete of the Week honors, and recognition as a 2x district champion. She was named to three holiday hoopla all-tournament teams and three Rio Rancho all-tournament teams, showcasing her prowess as a four-year varsity multi-athlete. Additionally, Alize was a 4x 1st Team All-District selection and earned a spot on the All-Star team during her senior year while also serving as class president in her first three years and student body president in her final year. Continuing her athletic career at Cloud Community College, she was recognized as Player of the Week, earned All-Conference 1st Team honors, and made the All-Academic Team, all while breaking the single-season rebound record.

At Benedictine, Alize's impressive performance earned her the Newcomer of the Year award, 1st Team All-Conference honors, and she was named Female Athlete of the Year. She was also recognized on the AD Honor Roll and the Dean's List. Over her inaugural season, Alize broke two records for rebounds in a single game and for season rebounds, finishing with 247 rebounds, 11 blocks, 29 steals, and 372 points, averaging a double-double.