Indiana Wesleyan’s Joldersma Named CL Female Athlete-of-the-Year
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League announced on Thursday that Eva Joldersma of the Indiana Wesleyan volleyball program had been named its 2023-2024 Female Athlete-of-the-Year.
Joldersma powered Indiana Wesleyan to a perfect, 38-0, record during the 2023 season that culminated in a NAIA National Championship for the Wildcats. The sophomore also led IWU to a sweep of the regular season and tournament championships in the Crossroads League.
Joldersma hauled in a plethora of individual awards, being named the NAIA, AVCA and Crossroads League Player of the Year, the NAIA Attacker of the Year and a NAIA First-Team All-American. In addition, Joldersma was recognized for academic excellence with a CSC First-Team Academic All-American nod.
During her standout sophomore campaign, Joldersma tallied 585 kills on a hitting percentage of .294. The all-around force averaged 4.6 kills, 3.0 digs and 0.6 blocks per set en route to posting 20 double-doubles and closed the year with a season-high 25 kills in the national championship match.
“Eva is a very talented athlete,” said Indiana Wesleyan head volleyball coach Candace Moats. “She not only competes at an extremely high level on the court but does nothing for selfish gain. Instead, she has an attitude of humility towards her teammates and coaches. Because of this, she is a leader who everyone respects and considers it to be a privilege to be her teammate. We are at another level with Eva’s volleyball ability!”
The Crossroads League Female Student-Athlete of the Year award is nominated and voted on by the 10 Athletic Directors from the Crossroads League and announced each summer.
Crossroads League Female Student-Athlete of the Year Recipients
2023-2024 – Eva Joldersma, Indiana Wesleyan (volleyball)
2022-2023 – Addy Wiley, Huntington (cross country/track and field)
2021-2022 – Erin Oleksak, Marian (soccer/track and field)
2020-2021 – Erin Oleksak, Marian (soccer/track and field)
2019-2020 – Erin Oleksak, Marian (soccer/track and field), Hannah Stoffel, Huntington (cross country/track and field)
2018-2019 – Bethany Balcer, Spring Arbor (soccer)
2017-2018 – Bethany Balcer, Spring Arbor (soccer)
2016-2017 – Bethany Balcer, Spring Arbor (soccer)
2015-2016 – Bethany Balcer, Spring Arbor (soccer)
2014-2015 – Alex Berends, Taylor (cross country/track and field)
2013-2014 – Geandra Almeida, Bethel (golf)
2012-2013 – Paige Smith, Indiana Wesleyan (basketball)
2011-2012 – Kelsey Pritchard, Taylor (volleyball)