Hill Repeats As NCCAA Susan Hellings Award WinnerBRANSON, Mo. - For the second straight year, Alexa Hill took home the prestigious Susan R. Hellings Award from the NCCAA.
The Hellings Award is the highest individual honor handed out to volleyball student-athletes by the NCCAA, celebrating one athlete each year for outstanding Christian character, athletic and academic achievement as well as community service.
Hill received the award at the NCCAA National Volleyball Championship Banquet in Branson, Mo. She is the first player in NCCAA history with multiple Hellings Awards and first to win back-to-back.
She is one of five Lady Lancers to win the award, joining Hannah Clemmons (2014), Rachel Bult (2011), Kate Millen (2000) and Marci Norris (1994).
Hill ended her career as one of the most decorated players in program history. She wrapped up her career with 4,537 career assists, ranking second in Grace history. The three-time First Team All-Crossroads League honoree also added 1,361 career digs.
The Huntington native has been named to the Dean’s List for the past three years and is a two-time NAIA/NCCAA Scholar-Athlete. Due to her commitment to academics, Hill was honored to the 2018 CoSIDA Google Cloud Academic All-America Team.
But more importantly, Hill is described by coach Katie Van Hofwegen as a servant leader. Her impact goes far beyond the volleyball court, leading Bible studies and encouraging others in their faith.
“Alexa Hill exemplifies what it means to be a Christian athlete,” Van Hofwegen said. “She shines on the volleyball court and is committed to being the best she possibly can be. She leads by example and wants to be remembered for her work ethic and ability to serve others well.”
Lancer Men’s Soccer Advance To NCCAA Semifinals
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Despite losing a pool play game against Ottawa-Arizona on Wednesday, there was still reason to celebrate for Grace's men's soccer team.
The Lancers clinched their spot in the national semifinals despite Wednesday's 2-1 defeat. Grace was the highest overall runner-up after pool play games were concluded.
As a result, the Lancers (10-7-3) will take on top-seeded Campbellsville on Friday at 12 p.m. It will mark Grace's second straight appearance to the NCCAA semifinals.
Ottawa-Arizona (OUAZ) scored a goal off a penalty kick and a free kick to beat the Lancers and win the pool.
Grace seemed to have the better first half yet was saddled with a 1-0 deficit. The Lancers moved the ball effectively and seemed to control the pace of the first half.
The Lancers had two golden opportunities to score. The first came after a corner kick.
A loose ball came to Kyle Smith in the penalty box, and Smith quickly turned and shot at OUAZ's net but was saved.
The next chance came on another quick attack. A ball was served into the box, and Ulisses Miranda redirected it into the air toward Marcelo Talamas.
Talamas trapped the ball and athletically volleyed at the net, but his shot whisked above the crossbar.
The Spirit (15-5-2) scored against the run of play. OUAZ advanced into Grace's penalty box and was awarded a penalty kick in the 41st minute. The Spirit converted on the PK for a 1-0 advantage.
Both teams shot three times, and Grace had the only two corner kicks before halftime.
It did not take Grace long to equalize after halftime. In the 54th minute, Henrique Cerruti tried to cross into the box. The attempt was stopped, and the ball slowly rolled back toward the top of the 18-yard line.
Cerruti raced to the loose ball and sliced a one-time volley between two defenders. The shot curled magnificently inside the right goalpost to tie the game at 1-1.
Seven minutes later, Grace threatened again. Talamas headed a shot from close range, but his attempt was pushed above the crossbar by the Spirit's goalkeeper.
In the 81st minute, Jonny Mora found Miranda with a cross, but Miranda's left-footed shot in front of the goal was saved.
Mora was involved on Grace's next chance, crossing into the box again. But Ze Maria Goncalves's shot was saved.
The game was won in the final four minutes. The Spirit earned a free kick and scored off the direct attempt.
Grace was unable to produce a shot over the final frantic minutes and had to settle for the loss.
Talamas shot four times with two on goal, and Smith shot twice. Colton Wottring made four saves in goal for the Lancers.
No. 15 Taylor Shoots Past Grace
UPLAND – Grace’s women’s basketball team was unable to upset No. 15 Taylor on Wednesday in an 86-75 defeat.
The Lady Lancers (8-2, 1-1 Crossroads League) played evenly for three of the four quarters, but a strong second quarter from the Trojans (10-0, 2-0 CL) made the difference.
Taylor shot well from beyond the arc, making 16-of-34 (47 percent) of its 3-pointers. Grace, on the other hand, made just 25 percent of its 3-pointers and 56 percent of its free throws.
Vironnica Drake filled the stat sheet with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, and Kamryn Hostetler had 15 points, 6 assists, 4 boards and 4 steals.
Taylor scored the first five points of the game, but Grace kept the score close. Lexi Minix hit a triple to spark a 7-0 run, and Brooke Treadway’s basket gave the Lady Lancers a one-point lead.
The Trojans ended the quarter with a short spurt, leading 23-18 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was Taylor’s best. The Trojans outscored Grace by 11, hitting six 3-pointers in the frame.
By halftime, Grace found itself in a 49-33 hole. Taylor made 51 percent of its shots in the half and had a 26-13 edge in rebounding.
The Lady Lancers were unable to make a dent in Taylor’s cushion during the third quarter and still trailed by 17 entering the fourth stanza.
Grace continued to apply pressure and outscored Taylor by six in the fourth, but the damage was already done. The Lady Lancers battled until the final buzzer as evidenced by a steal and fastbreak layup by Grace at the final buzzer.
Hostetler shot 6 of 12 from the floor for her 15 points, and Kyannah Stull had 14 points and four boards.
Kaylie Warble finished with 14 points and six rebounds, Maddie Ryman had 6 points, 3 assists and 2 steals, and Micaela Box ended with three points and six boards.
“I loved the way we played today. I think there were a lot of positives to take away for our team,” said Grace head coach Dan Davis. “Hats off to Taylor who shot well tonight and has a really good team. We didn’t shoot the ball great tonight and missed some layups and free throws that we would normally make. Our defense had great energy tonight, and we’ll look to carry that over to Huntington on Saturday.”
The Lady Lancers play No. 21 Huntington on the road on Saturday at 1 p.m. It will be the second of three straight ranked opponents that Grace plays on the road.
