Aurora University Athletics

The 2018-2019 athletic seasons culminated with one of the most successful years in the history of Aurora University Athletics. With the achievement comes the recognition of the athletes that made the success possible, starting with the Aurora University Female Athlete of the Year. The award, as voted on by staff members of the AU Athletic Department, will be presented to senior women's volleyball student-athlete Katie Vondra.

Vondra wrapped up a tremendous career with a strong senior season, receiving national accolades for her on-court performances. She led the AU women's volleyball program to a historic season. The Female Athlete of the Year award is her second consecutive season earning the top female athletic honor at AU.

The latest honor for Vondra comes after she led the AU women's volleyball team to the 2018 University of Chicago NCAA Regional Championship and advancing to the NCAA Division III National Championship. Individually she was an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team, First-Team All-Region by the AVCA, Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference First-Team All-Conference and NACC Offensive Player of the Year.

Vondra has now been recognized by the AVCA each of her three seasons as a Spartan, Honorable Mention All-Region in 2016, First-Team All-Region and an All-American in 2017 and now the same honors in 2018. She added the 2018 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Player of the Year honor while leading AU with 481 kills, a 3.98 per set average and a .229 hitting percentage. She also averaged 3.45 digs per set on the defensive side of the net. In three season as a Spartan, Vondra became the all-time kills leader at AU with 1,393 kills.

AU finished the 2018 season as the No. 6 ranked team in the final AVCA poll with a 26-9 overall record and were a perfect 12-0 and NACC regular season and tournament champions. The Spartans set program history in becoming the first team to win an NCAA Division III Tournament regional and advance to the NCAA Division III Championship weekend.

Additionally, senior women's tennis student-athlete Alyssa Brems received the Chris Thompson Award. The Chris Thompson Award is given to a senior female student-athlete who exemplifies the characteristics of dedication, determination, sportsmanship and faith throughout the academic year.