GREENWOOD, Ind. - On Thursday afternoon, the 2020-2021 Academic All-District At-Large teams were announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Among the honorees were a trio of Messiah student-athletes with
Mason Nissley (men's volleyball),
Rachel Delate (women's lacrosse), and
Hope Flack (women's lacrosse) all earning First Team honors.
The First Team Academic All-District nods are the first for all three in their careers.
Mason Nissley put together the best individual season in the young history of the Messiah men's volleyball program, earning First Team All-American honors and being named the National Player of the Year among his numerous accolades. Nissley helped lead the Falcons to an appearance in the Elite Eight while setting a new NCAA Division III record for kills per set with 5.69. He finished the year with 370 kills and was named the MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year as well as the Regional Player of the Year en route to his national honors. In the classroom, Nissley has been just as impressive. Through his sophomore year, the finance major has a perfect 4.00 cumulative GPA.
Rachel Delate picked up her first career Academic All-District after leading the Falcons' offense during their best season in program history. Delate set a new program record for points in a season with 123, while netting 63 goals and adding 60 assists. She finished the year with the second-most goals in NCAA Division III play this season as the Falcons went 18-1 on the season, advancing to the Elite Eight. Delate picked up a number of individual accolades along the way, earning MAC Commonwealth Rookie and Attacker of the Year honors as well as First Team All-Region and All-American nods. In the classroom, Delate carries a 3.74 cumulative GPA as a Finance major through her sophomore year.
Hope Flack also picked up her first CoSIDA Academic All-District honor after a stellar season in the midfield for the Falcons. Flack did a little bit of everything for the Falcons this season, netting 44 goals and six assists offensively. She also picked up 27 ground balls and caused 15 turnovers, but where Flack was ultra-effective was on the draw. On the season, Flack snagged 93 draw controls, more than double any other Falcon on the season and in 16 of Messiah's 19 games this spring, Flack grabbed at least four draw controls. A junior, Flack carries a 3.96 cumulative GPA while pursuing an Education Certification - Grades 4-8.
By way of the First Team Academic All-District honor, Nissley, Delate, and Flack are eligible for Academic All-American honors that will be announced in early August.
