Six Lady Flames Named to CSC Academic All-District Team
12/4/2023 3:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Lady Flames placed six student-athletes on the 2023 College Sports Communicators' Academic All-District Women's Soccer Teams, announced by the organization on Tuesday. Liberty's goalkeeper Ainsley Leja, Midfielders Rachel DeRuby and Saydie Holland, forward Ivy Garner, and defenders Lena James and Elise Graf all received the honor.
Leja and DeRuby are receiving the recognition for the second consecutive year. Liberty's six athletes recognized tops 2022's total of five. Last year, Leja and DeRuby were recognized along with Meredith King, Grace Spade and Annie Slovak.
To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve, a sophomore academically, have competed in at least 90 percent of their team's games or started 66 percent of matches and own a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50.
As a result of their inclusion on the academic all-district team, the five will now appear on the ballot for the 2023 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Women's Soccer Team®. The first, second and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced on Dec. 20.
Leja posted a 3.87 GPA in her major of business administration: finance. Leja outperformed her stellar sophomore campaign from 2022, trying her program record of 10 shutouts, topping her program record with a 0.60 goals-against average mark while playing every minute of the 2023 season. Leja was named the Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year, CUSA All-Conference first team and CUSA All-Academic Team while also receiving the CUSA Championship Defensive MVP award.
DeRuby holds a 3.72 GPA in her business administration major. The senior received the CUSA Midfielder of the Year, CUSA All-Conference first team and CUSA Championship Offensive MVP accolades. 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.
Holland, a graduate senior, posted a 4.0 GPA in M.B.A. The midfielder finished second on the team with eight goals and 18 points 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 and received the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week award on Sept. 5.
Garner, a junior academically, holds a 3.70 GPA in her major of business administration. The forward recorded six goals (four game-winners), 16 points and was tied for the team lead with four assists across 20 starts. Garner netted the lone Liberty goal in a 2-1 loss to No. 4 Georgia in the first round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament. The Hillsborough, N.C. native was named to the CUSA All-Conference first team and received the CUSA Offensive Player of the Week award on Oct. 17.
James, a graduate senior, posted a 3.64 GPA in her strategic communication: social media major. The defender led a back line that held its opponents to just 12 goals across 20 games in 2023, good for No. 13 in the country. James also 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.
Graf holds 3.50 GPA in her major of exercise science: strength and conditioning specialist. Graf stepped up for Liberty, filling a key role in the lineup as James sat out due to an injury for three matches. The defender logged over 880 minutes, appearing in all 20 games this season.
Leja and DeRuby are receiving the recognition for the second consecutive year. Liberty's six athletes recognized tops 2022's total of five. Last year, Leja and DeRuby were recognized along with Meredith King, Grace Spade and Annie Slovak.
To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve, a sophomore academically, have competed in at least 90 percent of their team's games or started 66 percent of matches and own a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50.
As a result of their inclusion on the academic all-district team, the five will now appear on the ballot for the 2023 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Women's Soccer Team®. The first, second and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced on Dec. 20.
Leja posted a 3.87 GPA in her major of business administration: finance. Leja outperformed her stellar sophomore campaign from 2022, trying her program record of 10 shutouts, topping her program record with a 0.60 goals-against average mark while playing every minute of the 2023 season. Leja was named the Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year, CUSA All-Conference first team and CUSA All-Academic Team while also receiving the CUSA Championship Defensive MVP award.
DeRuby holds a 3.72 GPA in her business administration major. The senior received the CUSA Midfielder of the Year, CUSA All-Conference first team and CUSA Championship Offensive MVP accolades. 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.
Holland, a graduate senior, posted a 4.0 GPA in M.B.A. The midfielder finished second on the team with eight goals and 18 points 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 and received the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week award on Sept. 5.
Garner, a junior academically, holds a 3.70 GPA in her major of business administration. The forward recorded six goals (four game-winners), 16 points and was tied for the team lead with four assists across 20 starts. Garner netted the lone Liberty goal in a 2-1 loss to No. 4 Georgia in the first round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament. The Hillsborough, N.C. native was named to the CUSA All-Conference first team and received the CUSA Offensive Player of the Week award on Oct. 17.
James, a graduate senior, posted a 3.64 GPA in her strategic communication: social media major. The defender led a back line that held its opponents to just 12 goals across 20 games in 2023, good for No. 13 in the country. James also 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.
Graf holds 3.50 GPA in her major of exercise science: strength and conditioning specialist. Graf stepped up for Liberty, filling a key role in the lineup as James sat out due to an injury for three matches. The defender logged over 880 minutes, appearing in all 20 games this season.
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