Deschner And Matthews On Final NCAA Woman Of The Year List

Deschner

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Jim Quist @ACCTheQ –

Out of a list of 21 ACC nominees Stefani Deschner of Notre Dame and Bria Matthews of Georgia Tech will represent the conference in the NCAA Woman of the Year award. The roster of names has been paired down from 535 school nominees across three NCAA Divisions to 153 individuals. There are a total of 57 from Division I. The award recognizes graduating student-athletes who are no longer NCAA eligible to compete. The nominees have distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership during their time in school. The award, established in 1991 has been won by an ACC representative in 1998, 2006 and as recently as 2014.

“Bria and Stefani embody everything that is special about college athletics, ” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips. “Throughout their respective careers, they have excelled in the classroom and in competition, while also setting the ultimate example in their commitment to community service. “

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Deschner And Matthews

Stefani Deschner

Deschner was named ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive season following here senior year. A member of the fencing team she helped lead the Irish to their 11th NCAA Fencing Championship last year. She had an undefeated season (17-0), advanced to the NCAA Championships and won the foil championship. Deschner is co-executive chair of the ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Council mental health board. She has helped develop education modules for that program.

Deschner earned her undergraduate degree in pre-professional studies and theology. She has been accepted into three medical schools. Deshner is a 2021 ACC Postgraduate Scholarship recipient. She’s also a three-time All-ACC Fencing Academic Team honoree and has made the Dean’s List seven times at Notre Dame.

Bria Matthews

Matthews is a six-time All-American in the long jump and triple jump. She has received the Athletes for a Better World’s prestigious 2021 John Wooden Citizenship Cup recognizing character and leadership both on and off the field. In addition, whe won the ACC Indoor Championship titles for long jump and triple jump in 2016, the ACC Outdoor Championship title in triple jump and competed at the Olympic Trials. Following an injury that sidelined her for two years Matthews returned in 2019 to win three ACC titles. She has taken three international service trips to the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Haiti. She’s also been involved with Girls on the Run, the Michael Isenhour Toy Drive and Junior Acheivement Biztown.

Matthews earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 2019 and her master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering in May from Georgia Tech.

2021 NCAA Woman of the Year

For each division a top 10 will be selected in September. From those three groups the top three honorees will be chosen from each division (total 9) and the finalist will be named from that list later this fall.

Deschner