Hope College volleyball standout Jenna Grasmeyer has been selected one of 30 semifinalists for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year award.
The 2015 Hope graduate and 21-year-old native of Jenison, Michigan (Hudsonville Unity Christian HS), is one of 10 Division III semifinalists chosen by the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics. There also are 10 semifinalists apiece from Divisions I and II.
The top 30 honorees reflect the pillars of the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, demonstrating excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership.
Later this month, the selection committee will name nine finalists – three women from each division. The 2015 Woman of the Year will be announced Oct. 18 at a ceremony in Indianapolis.
Grasmeyer, who led the Flying Dutch to their first volleyball national championship last fall, is humbled to among the group of national semifinalists.
"It feels incredible. It's quite an honor to be in the top 30," Grasmeyer said. "There are so many student-athletes who have made such an impact in their sport and on their campuses and communities during their time being student-athletes."
Grasmeyer and the 29 other semifinalists represent 12 different NCAA sports. There were a record 480 nominees for the award. Grasmeyer was the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association's conference nominee.
Co-athletic director Melinda Larson said Grasmeyer is an exemplary example of a Division III student-athlete.
"I think in a special way, while being such a good athlete, she represents Division III because she is involved across the board," Larson said. "She put in the same effort to become a great student as she did to be such an outstanding athlete. She took advantage of leadership opportunities and took the time to put in many hours of community service. That's what we strive for in Division III."
This is the 25th year of the NCAA Woman of the Year program. Shantey Hill, chair of the selection committee and assistant vice president and senior director of athletics of St. Joseph's College (Long Island), said this year's semifinalists continue the tradition of being the best and brightest in college sports.
"This year's top 30 honorees are outstanding examples for women competing in sports at any level," Hill said. "We are confident that they will continue to make a difference in the world for many years to come."
Grasmeyer earned a degree in exercise science at Hope. This fall, she has begun graduate studies for occupational therapy at Grand Valley State University.
Grasmeyer is getting married on December 19, 2015 to Josh Holwerda '14.
On the volleyball court, Grasmeyer was a four-time All-MIAA first team selection and was selected a first team All-American three times by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She led Hope to a 58-6 record in MIAA play and a 120-17 overall mark during her four years. She served as team captain in her junior and senior years.
Grasmeyer capped off her career by earning Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2014 NCAA championships.
Grasmeyer set numerous school records during her career, including kills (1,839), attack attempts (4,641), service attempts (1,666) and matches played (137). She also tied a school single-match record for kills with 28 and set the single-match record for attack attempts with 75.
An exercise science major at Hope, Grasmeyer graduated with a 3.79 grade point average. She was a three-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll was named as a senior to Capital One Academic All-America Second Team in volleyball by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Grasmeyer was heavily involved in campus and community activities during her career at Hope. As a member of Hope's Student-Athlete Advisory Council, she planned and coordinated a campus and athlete-wide food drive that contributed 2,000 items to a local food bank. She also served as a mentor to a young child struggling with obesity, helping her with exercises and healthy food choices, worked individually with a special needs child in a therapy pool and volunteered to help third-graders with their reading skills. She also volunteered at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and at Harbor House in Jenison.
Jenna Grasmeyer is the daughter of Mark and Karla Grasmeyer.
