ANGOLA, Ind.-- Trine University multi-sport student-athlete Carly Searles has been named the 2015 recipient of the Shari Coons Award.
The university award is presented to the senior female student-athlete who best embodies the qualities of leadership, character, citizenship, scholarship and the spirit of true competition. Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) was a standout performer on the softball diamond and on the volleyball court during her four years at Trine. To date, she has been a two-time softball All-American and earned all-conference volleyball honors three times. Searles graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in marketing.
This season, Searles became NCAA Division IIIs all-time leader in career hits (306), runs scored (261) and triples (48) this season. The two-time All-American was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region team this season, making her eligible for a third-straight All-America honor.
Searles was named the MIAA Most Valuable Position Player this year after winning her second MIAA batting title. She is the conference's all-time leader in hits, batting average and triples in conference play. Searles was a four-time All-MIAA performer, including three First Team selections.
The Trine softball record book is filled with Searles' accomplishments. She holds 11 career records and owns eight single-season records.
Searles was a key piece on the 2014 softball team, which reached the NCAA National Championships for the first time in school-history. She was a part of four conference championship teams and made four appearances in the NCAA Regionals.
On the volleyball court, Searles capped off her career with an All-MIAA First Team selection this season. The first-team honor followed up back-to-back season in which she earned recognition on the second team.
Searles ranks in the top 10 in Thunder volleyball history in 12 career categories. She is one of two players in team history to record 1,000 digs and 1,000 assists and is the only player in team history to achieve both of those milestones with more than 600-career kills.
In her senior season, Searles helped the volleyball team to its best season as a member of NCAA Division III. The Thunder finished with a 24-6 record.
