Mars Hill’s Hochstetler Named 2017 South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Mars Hill's Lauren Hochstetler was voted the South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the League announced today. She earned the honor for her achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.
The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports, and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee.
Hochstetler, a senior Chemistry major from Sarasota, Florida, finishes her playing career with a perfect 4.0 GPA. As a Lion, on the court, she amassed 1085 kills, 1471 digs, 116 aces and 124 blocks. She joined the 1000-kill club on Oct. 24 in a four set victory over Tusculum. As a senior she earned All-SAC Honorable mention and helped the Lion's earn a spot in the 2017 SAC Volleyball Championship tournament. She was named to the 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division II Volleyball First Team. The award is her first Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor.
She was named captain of the Mars Hill Volleyball team during her final three seasons. She played in every set of every match all four years and earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors as a senior. In the eight week of her junior year, she was named South Atlantic Conference AstroTurf Volleyball Player of the Week.
"I have been Lauren's professor and advisor since her freshman year and over that period of time I have seen her grow as a chemist, an athlete, and a person," said Dr. Amanda R. Knapp, PhD, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Mars Hill University. "I have been impressed by her intelligence, dedication, maturity, passion, and work ethic. I can say that Lauren is one of the best all-around students I have ever taught. In addition to her excellent grades in my classes, she was always punctual for class and lab, asked questions, and was engaged during all aspects of the class. Lauren has the maturity to admit she needs help and to ask for it right away. I wish all of my students cared as deeply about their learning as Lauren does!"
Hochstetler, a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes all four years, served as the Chemistry Club Vice President. Since her sophomore year she served as a Chemistry tutor for general chemistry and organic chemistry courses twice a week. She has made mission trips to Africa, Haiti and Costa Rica during her time at Mars Hill.
In her junior year she became a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, a year prior she joined the National Society of Leadership and Success for Leadership Development and Networking. She has tested water samples and helped the county file grants to eliminate contamination sources for the Water Quality Analyst for Madison County of North Carolina.
Mars Hill Head Volleyball Coach, Tony Fontanelle stated, "Lauren is the student-athlete that all coaches are looking to have represent their program. The words I would use to describe Lauren on the court and in the classroom are: dedicated, goal oriented, passionate, responsible, disciplined and motivated. Lauren also finds time to be involved in her community at home, here at Mars Hill and at this moment she is on her way to Africa. I am very happy Lauren was chosen for this award, I feel it is well deserved."
Other Nominees:
Madison Bingle, Coker
Rebecca Cochran, Queens
Anna Holmquist, Wingate
Kensley Jordan, Newberry
Ashley Markland, Lenoir-Rhyne
Shannon Murphy, Tusculum
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