GREENWOOD, Ind. -- The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced the 2020-21 Academic All-District® Softball Team on July 1, 2021. Siena Heights University softball student-athletes Sam Hill and Haley Rose were among the 14 student-athletes on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District 1 First Team.

Hill adds this honor to her resume after earning second-team All-WHAC as well as all-academic for her performance this season. She is a two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete (2020 & 2019) and will receive the award for the third time in the fall. On the field, Hill led the team in at-bats (110), hits (42), and batting average (.382). She was the team's leadoff hitter for the season and finished with an on-base percentage of .424.

"Sam had another very strong season for us," said coach Klutsarits. "Her presence at the top of the lineup is always so crucial, as it has been for her entire career. When Sam gets on base, good things happen! She did so with regularity all season and was a tough out virtually every at-bat. Sam's work defensively this year was another step up as well. She made great strides defensively at third base this year which was an important part of our success as well. You don't see very many lead-off hitters come through with RBI's on a regular basis and that is something we can count on Sam for as well. She has been an exceptional student for three years who will continue to excel in the classroom as she heads into her senior year."

Rose was also second-team All-WHAC and all-academic this year. She was named an NAIA Scholar-athlete last year and is expected to earn the award again this fall. Rose led the Saints with 10 doubles (t-7th WHAC), two home runs, and a slugging percentage of .557 this season. She was second with 36 hits. Her 16 RBIs were third-best and her .371 batting average ranked second in the team listings. 

"Haley had a great year for us," said SHU head coach Laura Klutsarits. "Her bat in the middle of the lineup came up with some very big hits and RBI for us. She had a very solid year defensively at first base as well.  It's unfortunate that we only had the opportunity to really see Haley for one year after transferring in last year and having the COVID shutdown.  She has been a strong player and strong student since she got here and has been the type of person and teammate we want in our program. She has done nothing by good things in the classroom during her time at Siena Heights. She will do great things as she heads into grad school in the fall."

The 2020-21 Academic All-District® Baseball and Softball Teams, selected by CoSIDA, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All-America® program separately recognizes baseball and softball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.
 
First-team Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot. First- and second-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in late July.

Hill and Rose were among the five student-athletes from members of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). Madonna was represented with three selections to the all-district team.

For the complete list of CoSIDA Academic All-District softball selections, click here.