Carson-Newman's Siebert Named South Atlantic Conference Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Carson-Newman's Elayna Siebert was voted the South Atlantic Conference Softball 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.

Siebert, from Knoxville, Tenn., graduated from Carson-Newman with a 3.97 GPA as an accounting major.  A four-time Dean's List honoree, she earned Eagle Scholar honors during her sophomore, junior and senior years.  Siebert was a four-time Carson-Newman Hope Scholar and picked up Carson-Newman Presidential Scholar honors all four years as an Eagle.  Siebert was also named to the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's honor roll all four years at Carson-Newman.  She is a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society and was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American as a junior to go along with Carson-Newman Student-Athlete of the Year plaudits.

"Elayna is such a competitior, and always had it in her to make sure business was taken care of on the field as well as off it, said head coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield.  "I could not be prouder of her for winning this honor. She cared equally about her performance on the field of competition as well as what happened in the classroom."

Siebert earned All-South Atlantic Conference three times in her career and was named a first-team All-American as a utility player during her junior year.  She earned All-Region honors twice in career and picked up Tennessee Sportswriters Association State Player of the Week honors during her senior season.  Siebert finished her career with 115 RBI, 22 home runs, 31 doubles and a .365 average at the plate.  She is tied for No. 8 All-Time in South Atlantic Conference history with 14 triples as she slugged .572 for her career.

Siebert was very generous with her time during her college career as she sponsored a child in Bangladesh all four years as an Eagle volunteering and providing funds to help a child receive a Christian Education.  She has been an active volunteer with Compassion International and has worked with the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries in each of her last three years.  Siebert spent time in Cape Town South Africa with the Living Hope Organization and has been a guest speaker at the Vonore Baptist Church during the summer youth revivals.

She is also a coach of a summer travel softball team and volunteers as a coach during Carson-Newman's summer softball camps.

Other Softball Nominees
Jamie Hrobak, Brevard
Carley Tysinger, Catawba
Tabitha Allen, Coker
Sydney Landreth, Lenoir-Rhyne
Mallory Gerndt, Newberry
Taylor Rosenbalm, Queens
Taylor Laskey, Wingate