Jason Walker, University of Providence Sports Information 

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Eight members of the University of Providence volleyball team were announced Tuesday on the NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete list by the home office in Kansas City.  

Cassi Kopsa, Jenna Thorne, Madeline McCrea, Madysen Hoerner, Taylor Christensen, Taylor DeVries, Taylor VanderMars, and Zoe Naugle all earned the recognition.  

Kopsa, a defensive specialist from Stevensville, Mont., is a Criminal Justice Major with a 3.95 GPA (Grade Point Average). Christensen is from Belgrade and the defensive specialist has a GPA of 3.64 in Elementary Education. DeVries, a sophomore setter from Belgrade, carries a 4.00 in Business Finance. Hoerner is a Criminal Justice major from Columbia Falls, and the outside hitter has a 3.80 GPA.  

McCrea, a sophomore middle blocker from Ronan has a 3.87 in Biology Health Professions. Naugle hails from Castle Rock, Wash., and the junior middle blocker carries a 3.60 GPA in Nursing. Thorne is majoring in Exercise Science and the outside hitter from Karitane, New Zealand has a GPA of 3.77. VanderMars, a sophomore from Great Falls, has a 3.78 GPA in Exercise Science.  

The 2022 list features 609 student-athletes that achieved at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at their institution. In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport and have attended one full year at said institution.