Merritt Beason from the University of Nebraska, Rachel Fairbanks of the University of Pittsburgh, Sarah Franklin from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Texas’ Madisen Skinner are the four finalists for the Class of 2024 Honda Sport Award for Volleyball as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) today.
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 48 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2024 Honda Cup, which will be presented during a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7 PM ET, from its new home in New York City.
The volleyball finalists were selected by a panel of experts and coaches from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). The Honda Sport award winner for volleyball will be announced after voting by administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Each NCAA member institution has a vote.
Beason, a junior from Gardendale, Ala., was named a 2023 AVCA First Team All-American, AVCA Region Player of the Year and a AVCA All-Region honoree for the second time in her career. The outside hitter led her team with 3.76 kills per set and 4.50 points per set and helped the Cornhuskers to the NCAA Championship match finishing runner-up.
Fairbanks was named the 2023 ACC Setter of the Year and earned 2023 AVCA First Team All-America honors. A junior from Tustin, Calif., she helped her team to its third straight NCAA Semifinals and second straight ACC Championship title. Overall, her setting guided her team to a .303 hitting percentage ranking fifth in the nation.
Franklin was recently named the 2023 AVCA National Player of the Year after earning 2023 AVCA First Team All-America accolades. The outside hitter reached 1,000 career kills earlier in the season and led her team with 4.15 kills per set, ranking fifth in the Big Ten. She was honored as the 2023 Big Ten Player of the Year and is a three-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree.
Madisen, a junior hailing from Katy, Texas, led her team to its second straight NCAA Championship title and was named the 2023 Final Four Most Outstanding Player after finishing the championship match with 16 kills, two aces and one block. The outside hitter earned a spot on the 2023 AVCA All-America First Team and finished the season ranked fifth in the nation in points per set (5.54).
The CWSA, entering its 48th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.
About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility
For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on improving children’s health, inspiring underrepresented students, preserving the environment for future generations, creating safety for everyone, and strengthening our communities. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.