OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Illinois State standout Courtney Pence has been named one of 10 NCAA Division I volleyball student-athletes selected as a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, the organization announced Thursday. Pence's selection marks the second-consecutive year that a Redbird volleyball student-athlete has had representation on the ballot, and the third time in four years, as notable alumnae Ashley Rosch (2015) and Jaelyn Keene (2017) were also named finalists.
Fan voting is now open for the Senior CLASS Award at: http://www.seniorclassaward.com/vote/volleyball_2018/. Fans can vote for up to three finalists every day until voting closes on Dec. 5. Fan voting accounts for one-third of the selection process, which also includes input from a panel of NCAA Division I coaches and national media members.
"We are extremely excited that Courtney has been named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award," head coach Leah Johnson shared. "Courtney is a woman that exemplifies what it truly means to be a student-athlete in the Redbird volleyball program. Her relentless work ethic has pushed her to new heights, not only in the classroom, but on the court and out in the community. She is highly respected among her teammates and peers, and this recognition couldn't be more deserving."
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
A libero from Springfield, Illinois, Pence has been a standout performer on the court, an exceptional student in the classroom and an active member of the Bloomington-Normal community in her four years at Illinois State.
After earning a MVC Scholar-Athlete Team Honorable Mention nod in 2016, Pence was awarded a spot on the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team last season for her continued success in the classroom. She has been named to the Illinois State AFNI Honor Roll and MVC Honor Roll in every possible semester and has also garnered the MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award the past two years. Pence also aided in the Illinois State volleyball team's efforts to earn its third NCAA Public Recognition Award overall and second in a row, and the AVCA Team Academic Award for the 10th-consecutive season.
The active career digs leader in NCAA Division I, Pence currently ranks 12th in NCAA history with 2,556 and needs just 101 to break the MVC career digs mark of 2,656 set in 2010. With her single-season school record of 821 digs set in 2017, Pence helped Illinois State to a program record of 2,515 team digs last season.
Despite the expectations of student-athletes to perform well in the classroom and on the court, Pence doesn't see that as an excuse to not give back to her community. Pence views her love of kids as an opportunity to share the sport she loves with those aspiring to play it. She has helped with Illinois State's volleyball clinics each of her four years with the program, as well as volunteered with Eastview Church's volleyball league. She has served as a recess and lunch buddy at local schools, volunteered at Hudson Elementary School, worked with handicapped adults through MarcFirst and has spent time assisting with the Special Olympics.
Pence was previously named one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award on Oct. 1. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2018 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship in December.
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