Shepherd University has narrowed the field for its head women’s basketball coach/lecturer position from 68 to three finalists. The finalists will be on campus this week.

The finalists are:

• Kayla Smith – Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, Kutztown University (PA)

Originally from Elkins, West Virginia, Smith has both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California University (PA). She has been an assistant coach at Kutztown for two seasons following a season as assistant at California.

As a player she was a three-time All-American including First Team honors in 2011. She also excelled in the classroom earning Academic All Region honors and three time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference scholar-athlete. Other PSAC awards include PSAC West Rookie of the Year and PSAC West Player of the Year. She was First Team All-PSAC West each of her four years. Smith is third in career points at California (PA) and ninth in PSAC history. She is California’s (PA) all-time leader in rebounds and second in PSAC history. She helped lead the Vulcans to two trips to the NCAA Elite Eight.

• Matt Schmidt – Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, Duquesne University (PA)

Originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Schmidt has served as an assistant coach at Duquesne University for the past season. The Dukes went to the WNIT and had a 20-13 record. Prior to being at the Pittsburgh school he was head coach for five seasons at NCAA Division II Armstrong Atlantic State University (GA). Before his time in Georgia he had been a NCAA Division II Assistant Coach for seven seasons which included being a part of the 2008 NCAA National Champions Northern Kentucky University coaching staff.

Schmidt earned his bachelor’s degree from West Liberty University and his master’s from West Virginia University. As a player for the Hilltoppers he was a four-time WVIAC Scholar.

• Jenna Eckleberry – Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, Fairmont State University (WV)

Originally from Chester, West Virginia, Eckleberry has served as assistant coach at Mountain East Conference member Fairmont State University for the past seven seasons. In her time as an assistant coach she has helped lead the team to three conference titles and three NCAA Playoff appearances. In those seven seasons the team has averaged 20 wins per year and has a graduation rate of 100 percent.

Eckleberry earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fairmont State University. As a player for the Falcons she was a two-time captain as a point guard. She led NCAA Division II in Assist to Turnover Ratio her senior season and set the Fairmont record with 17 assists in a single game. She made an appearance in the NCAA tournament and was All-Conference during her career. As a senior she was named Fairmont State’s top female student athlete.