Carson-Newman's Sara Fairley Named South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Carson-Newman's Sara Fairley 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.

Fairley, a senior accounting major, has earned a 3.97 GPA. All through her tenure at Carson-Newman she has been on the Dean's list every semester and was an Eagle Scholar every year. In 2015, Fairley was a participant in the Student Leadership Institute of North Carolina and has been a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society for the last two years. Additionally, she was awarded both the Chair of Business Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship along with becoming a member of the Institute of Management Accountants and a student member of the North Carolina CPA's.

The 2015 volleyball campaign saw the senior amass 358 kills, which placed her fourth in the South Atlantic Conference standings and bettered her junior mark of 200 kills. Fairley was also ranked third in the League with 425 points after reaching the Conference tournament. With two South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week honors to add to her name, Fairley was also named the program's first-ever CoSIDA Academic All-District player. On Dec. 6, Fairley and the Eagles claimed their first NCAA Division II Regional title trip to the Elite 8.

"She's unbelievably dedicated to making herself better every single day," said head coach Dan Ahiers. "She does it on and off the court. When that kid doesn't have a ball in her hand, she's got a book in her hand. She is a prime example of why we are successful here at Carson-Newman".

Off the court, the senior outside hitter has given generous amounts of time and effort to assist in many service projects. Fairley has been on mission trips to New York City and Charleston, working with Metro Baptist Church and Habitat for Humanity and made a service trip to Nicaragua with the volleyball team her freshman year to work with kids in need. She has been a part of Operation Christmas Child all four years where she purchases toys and other items to be sent to children in need in another country.  On top of these commitments, Fairley prepared elementary aged kids to succeed in a global economy through her volunteer work at Junior Achievement.  

Other Nominees:
Madison Binlgle, Coker
Rebecca Butler, Mars Hill
Kaytee Frabotta, Catawba
Rachel Garnett, Tusculum
Brianna Gottberg, Lenoir-Rhyne
Shelly Stumpff, Wingate
Aleksandra Vrvilo, Brevard