INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Yeshiva University graduating senior Shaina Hourizadeh has been nominated for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award. She earned the nomination due to her historical career as a member of the women's volleyball team, her volunteer experience, being involved in extra-curricular activities, and for her strong performance in the classroom.

The top 30 honorees will be celebrated, and the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced, at the annual award ceremony on October 22 in Indianapolis.

"It is a true honor and privilege to be nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year award," Hourizadeh said. "Reflecting upon my involvement in Yeshiva University Athletics and my overall experiences as an NCAA student-athlete over the past four years, I can honestly say that the program has helped shape my college career and my life in general."
 
On the court, Hourizadeh finished her collegiate volleyball career with the most career matches and sets played in program history. The Englewood resident also produced 573 digs in her career, which ranks her second in school history.

Hourizadeh had a strong final season for the Maccabees. The graduating senior produced double-figures in digs in 12 matches. She produced a match-high 19 digs at Delaware Valley on September 27. The libero anchored the defense with 11 digs against Old Westbury, during her senior night on October 27. In the final match of her collegiate career, the four-year standout recorded a match-high 17 digs against Mount Saint Mary on October 30.

Thanks to her achievements on the court, Hourizadeh was named the Yeshiva University Female Student-Athlete of the Year at the annual athletics banquet back on May 15. That same night, she also received the women's volleyball coach's award.

"Participating in the athletics community has helped me build not only the physical strength required to compete, but more importantly it helped me develop the strength of character required to lead," Hourizadeh said. "I joined the volleyball team my freshman year and despite the long hours and late commutes home, joining the team was the best decision I ever made."
 
The captain of the women's volleyball team also succeeded in the classroom, earning an overall GPA of 3.84 during her four years, which is significantly higher than the average GPA of all the nominees for the NCAA Woman of the Year award from across the three divisions (3.69). She graduated this past May with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. As a student, Hourizadeh served as the peer tutor for the Stern College Psychology department since 2015. She served as the campus liaison for the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology for the same duration of time.
 
Hourizadeh will be attending New York University School of Law in the fall. The recent graduate has plenty of experience to help her succeed in her new goal. She served as a judicial intern for Hon. David B. Cohen, Supreme Court Justice and Judge of New York, in 2015.  During her time at Yeshiva, she was also a participant of Frontiers in Contemporary American Law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, as well as YU's Pre-Law Mentoring Program in 2015 and 2014, respectively. She also served as an intern in the Legal Aid Society in 2014.

Yeshiva University Director of Athletics, Joe Bednarsh, was honored to have Hourizadeh be a part of the YU family for four years and beyond. "Shaina is a shining example of what student-athletes can be," Mr. Bednarsh said. "She is an amazing person, teammate, and friend. I am so pleased to be able to have her represent YU Athletics."

To review the full list of nominees and the NCAA's official release, please click here.