June 28, 2011

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Recently graduated Missouri softball player Abby Vock has been nominated for the 21st annual NCAA Woman of the Year award, as announced Tuesday afternoon. The award honors senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

Vock earned 2011 All-Big 12 first team honors on the Tigers softball squad that captured the Big 12 title and advanced to the Women's College World Series for the third consecutive year. She led the league with a .786 slugging percentage during conference-only games while also registering the sixth-best batting average (.357), third-most homeruns (5), third-highest on-base percentage (.460) and eighth-most total bases (33).

The second baseman was awarded Missouri's Unsung Hero Award in 2011 while serving as a team captain for the third season. Vock was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and named to both the Commissioner's Honor Roll and College of Business Dean's List eight semesters. The Morrison, Ill., native also received Magna Cum Laude honors.

Vock's community service projects included volunteering at the Columbia Food Bank, University of Missouri Children's Hospital and CASA Youth Softball Clinic.

In order to be eligible for the award, female student-athletes must have completed intercollegiate eligibility in their primary sport by the end of the 2011 spring season and graduated no later than the end of the summer 2011 term.

The NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee will choose the top 10 nominees in each division. From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine its top three in each division. Finally, the members of the Committee on Women's Athletics will vote from among the top nine to determine the 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year. The top 10 honorees from Divisions I, II and III will be honored, and the 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year announced in October.