DeRuby, James and Holland Named Scholar All-Americans
12/15/2023 3:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Three Lady Flames seniors received selections to the United Soccer Coaches 2023 NCAA Division I Women's Scholar All-American teams, the organization announced Friday. Midfielder Rachel DeRuby was honored with a spot on the first team, while defender Lena James and midfielder Saydie Holland were named to the third team.
The awards are the first for any Liberty student-athlete in program history.
All three Lady Flames previously earned academic honors on Dec. 4, after receiving selections to the CSC Academic All-District team.
To be eligible for the Scholar All-American teams, a player must be a junior or above in athletic standing, be in at least their second year with the program, earn at least a 3.4 cumulative GPA in their career and have played a minimum of 75 percent of games during the season.
DeRuby holds a 3.72 GPA in her business administration major. The senior adds to her 2023 accolades, having already received the Conference USA Midfielder of the Year award, CUSA All-Conference first team, the CUSA Championship Offensive MV, CUSA All-Tournament team and All-South Region first team. The midfielder led the Lady Flames in goals (9) and points (22) while sharing the team lead with four assists in 20 starts this season.
James, a graduate senior, posted a 3.64 GPA in her major of strategic communication: social media. The defender led a back line that held its opponents to just 12 goals across 20 games in 2023 for a 0.60 goals-against-average, good for No. 15 in the country. The defender was named to the CUSA All-Conference first team and was named to the All-South Region second team. James took the majority of Liberty's free kicks and recorded two assists. The Brownsburg, Ind. native made 17 starts, playing the full 90 minutes in 13 matches.
Holland, a graduate senior, posted a 4.0 GPA in her M.B.A. The midfielder finished second on the team in goals (8) and points (18) while recording two assists. Holland led the team and ranked No. 14 in the nation with five game-winning goals in 2023. The Waverly, Tenn. native was named to the CUSA All-Conference first team, CUSA All-Tournament team and All-South Region second team.
