SHAWNEE – Four Bison Volleyball members achieved College Sports Communicators (CSC) All-District honors Tuesday afternoon.
The 2024 season marks three consecutive seasons where OBU Volleyball members have earned a spot amongst the CSC Academic All-District team. In the previous season, the Bison had three players earn their way to the academic award, with one player who has secured a spot on the list each season,
Avery Hellmuth.
Award requirements are at least a 3.50 grade point average, fall into the sophomore classification and have legitimate playing credentials.
Hellmuth rounds out her collegiate career with her third consecutive year as a receipt of the award. As a Social Sciences Secondary Education major, Hellmuth was one of two to receive the honor in the first year OBU Volleyball members were on the list.
The middle blocker ended her final season in the green and gold with 276 kills (2.51 per set), 342.5 points, averaging 3.09 per set, 69 total blocks with 20 solo blocks and 49 block assists, and surpassing 1,000 career kills with a total of 1,053.
Academic honors for the Dallas, Texas, native, include OBU President's Honor Roll ('23-'24), GAC Elite Scholar Athlete ('23-'24), and now, CSC Academic All-District ('22-'24). During her time in the green and gold, Hellmuth made major contributions to Oklahoma Baptist's success, on and off the court, playing a vital role in the OBU Volleyball story.
The next bison representative on the list is
Karsyn Hunter. Junior, Hunter earned a spot amongst the CSC Academic All-District team this season for the first time. Hunter also earned a place amongst the OBU President's Honor Roll ('23-'24).
On the court, the Forney, Texas, native, led the team in digs, totaling 457 digs to average 4.04 per set, earning a new career best in the catoegory. Outside of the setters, Hunter totaled the most assists at 56, also a new career high for Hunter.
Lauren Safrit also became a member of the CSC Academic All-District team this go around. In addition to this award, the Midlothian, Texas, native, found her name on the OBU Dean's Honor Roll ('23-'24).
In the 2024 season, Safrit totaled 343 digs for the Bison, averaging 3.46 per set, a new career high for the Bison. Safrit posted a new career high with 22 total assists this season.
Rounding out this year's awards for the green and gold is none other than
Jill Leslie. The multiple sport athlete is a name that carries for those around OBU Athletics. Previously, Leslie's academic honors included making the OBU President's Honor Roll ('23-'24) and the CSC Academic All-District team in the 2022 season.
Leslie led the Bison in kills, totaling 335 on the season to average 2.96 per set. The Wichita Falls, Texas, native, is also the team leader in points (414), holds the best hitting percentage (.313) and leads the green and gold in blocks (86).
The redshirt junior had her best year yet on the court, earning new career highs in kills (335), assists (26), digs (80), and points (414). In her third year of action at OBU, Leslie's career totals are as follows: 872 kills, 40 assists, 67 aces, 206 digs, 271 total blocks and 1,108.5 points.
Leslie finished the season ranked third in the GAC in hitting percentage and sixth in the league in points.
