Friday, August 7, 2020
FAIRFAX, Va. – Three University of Alaska Anchorage student-athletes have been recognized as 2020 Arthur Ashe Jr., Sports Scholars, with women's basketball players Kimani Fernandez and Tennae Voliva, along with volleyball player Eve Stephens, each earning the prestigious honor.
Bestowed by the magazine Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and named for tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr., the annual awards recognize "student-athletes of color who best exemplify academic and athletic achievement."
"All three of these young women are outstanding examples of what it means to be a student-athlete," said UAA athletic director Greg Myford. "Along with their accomplishments on the court, they represent Seawolf Athletics and our university with terrific character and integrity. They represent the reason why it is so important to support college athletics and the opportunity it affords, especially during these challenging times."
A forward from Wailuku, Hawaii, Fernandez was the second-leading rebounder with 3.7 per game for a Seawolf team that went 31-2 and finished No. 4 in both NCAA Division II national polls. She averaged 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds over the final seven games, helping UAA win the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship to complete the coronavirus-shortened campaign. A psychology major, Fernandez was a GNAC All-Academic Team selection with a 3.77 overall GPA.
A center from East Anchorage High School, Voliva earned All-GNAC honorable mention accolades as UAA's leading rebounder and shot blocker. She averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and was third in the league with two steals per game, pacing the Seawolves with six double-doubles. A two-time GNAC All-Academic Team selection and psychology major, Voliva led UAA with a 3.83 GPA and was voted a CoSIDA Academic All-District Team performer, recognizing her as one of the top five athletic/academic achievers in the 36-team NCAA West Region.
A right side hitter from Palmer, Stephens was an AVCA Second Team All-American for the Seawolf volleyball team that finished 23-7 and reached the NCAA Tournament Second Round. The unanimous All-GNAC pick led the league with 3.90 kills per set and 4.70 points per set, while posting 0.90 blocks per set and a .260 attack percentage. An accounting major, Stephens also paced UAA and the GNAC with a 4.00 overall GPA, joining Voliva as a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree.