Sydney University coach Cheryl Chambers has been named the WNBL coach of the year after guiding the Flames to the minor premiership.
The honour comes in Chambers' first season in charge of the Flames, who finished three wins clear of the second-placed Dandenong Rangers.
They will face Townsville Fire in the best-of-three semi-finals series beginning Saturday night, while the Dandenong Rangers will take on Perth Lynx.
Chambers had previously won the award in 2005 and 2009 during her eight-year stint in charge of the Bulleen (now Melbourne) Boomers - leaving her second to nine-time WNBL championship coach Tom Maher, who has received the honour four times.
She was a clear winner ahead of Adelaide Lightning coach Chris Lucas, with Perth coach Andy Stewart and Canberra Uni coach Paul Goriss tied for third.
"It's really humbling. There are lots of good coaches that have won it over the years so it's exciting," Chambers said on Friday.
The Flames (18-6) head into the finals having won eight straight games after a shaky start to the season, with Chambers lauding the scoring accomplishments of American import forward Asia Taylor.
"I was looking at tape (pre-season) and really wanted an X-factor, not just a run of the mill import," she said.
"We are so pleased with (Asia), she's just a pure athlete and has been a delight to have around the club."
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