Beason Named Finalist for Honda Sport Award for Volleyball

Merritt Beason from the University of Nebraska, Rachel Fairbanks of the University of Pittsburgh, Sarah Franklin from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Texas’ Madisen Skinner are the four finalists for the Class of 2024 Honda Sport Award for Volleyball as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) on Dec. 20.

The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 48 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2024 Honda Cup, which will be presented during a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7 p.m (ET), from its new home in New York City.

The volleyball finalists were selected by a panel of experts and coaches from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). The Honda Sport award winner for volleyball will be announced after voting by administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Each NCAA member institution has a vote.  

Beason, a junior from Gardendale, Ala., was named a 2023 AVCA First Team All-American, AVCA Region Player of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA All-Region for the second time in her career. The outside hitter led her team with 3.76 kills per set and 4.50 points per set and helped the Cornhuskers to the NCAA Championship match finishing runner-up.

The CWSA, entering its 48th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.