2016 NCAA Woman of the Year School Nominees

INDIANAPOLIS -- On the heels of their graduation from Academy of Art University, two highly decorated Urban Knights have been nominated for this year's NCAA Woman of the Year award. This year, Nina Gajdosikova (women's tennis) and Haily MacDonald (softball) serve as ART U's dual nominees for one of the most prestigious annual awards the NCAA has to offer. 

Now in its 26th installment, the Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership. Previous Academy of Art nominees include softball outfielder Elyse Cordova (2015), Jenny Johansson of women's tennis (2015), along with women's golfers Crystal Superal (2013) and Andrea Nieto (a top finalist in 2014).

Gajdosikova, who completed her career with a cumulative 3.33 GPA in the School of Graphic Design, goes out as ART U tennis' winningest athlete ever in the No. 1 position. In three years with Academy of Art, she guided the Urban Knights to a trio of top five finishes capped by the team's historic 2015 run that saw them upset No. 7 Hawaii Pacific before hosting NCAA Regionals for the first time.

"It always feels great when you are able to do something you are passionate about because that way you can do it with love," said Gajdosikova. "Getting to represent Academy of Art in tennis was an amazing opportunity to grow on and off the court. Apart from being able to travel and pursue career in art, I got the chance to connect with some of the best people I have ever met. My teammates were my rock for the past three years and I want to thank them for being so awesome. It's a great honor to be acknowledged with this nomination. It encourages me to positively reflect on all the tough times as well the dedication it took to get here."

The only ART U player to earn All-PacWest First Team honors in both singles and doubles, Gajdosikova was a three-time Academic All-PacWest and helped Academy of Art earn its first ITA All-Academic Team award. In addition to her achievements on the court, Gajdosikova was twice selected for the Academy of Art Annual Spring Show, offered nearly 30 hours of community service across her three years, and joined MacDonald in the design of ART U's NACMA Award-winning schedule posters in 2015-16.

"In addition to time management and efficiency, the most important thing I learned was how to work with my strengths and learn from my weaknesses," said Gajdosikova. "As a player, I spent a lot of time analyzing and improving myself: I learned to be my biggest critic as well as my best friend. I embraced every tough and sweaty moment out there because those situations helped me explore my abilities and showed me there is always room to become better. The tennis court became a place where I could be myself and the game taught me the importance of being me."

MacDonald, owner of a 3.36 cumulative GPA in the School of Graphic Design over her four years of competition, achieved All-PacWest First Team and All-West Region Second Team for both Daktronics and the NFCA in 2015 after hitting .428 and serving as the fifth-toughest hitter to strike out in all of NCAA Division II. MacDonald's relentless work ethic also showed in the classroom where she earned four Academic All-PacWest honors and closed out her career as a member of the Capital One Academic All-District Team.

"The Academy of Art University allowed me to pursue two dreams: becoming a graphic designer and playing softball at the collegiate level," said MacDonald. "I hope to inspire other women to chase their dreams, no matter how big or small! I am very humbled and honored to be nominated by the Academy of Art and represent the Urban Knights in the NCAA Woman of the Year campaign."

MacDonald had the best season of her four-year career as a senior, setting program records for stolen bases and runs scored in a single-season as well as career triples and stolen bases. Beyond the record books, she was voted ARTYs Urban Knight of the Year in 2015, collaborated with Gajdosikova on the design of ART U's NACMA Award-winning schedule posters, served on the Urban Knights' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and turned in more than 40 hours of community service in her four-year career.

"While attending ART U, each day I strived to be the best I could both on and off the field," said MacDonald. "The preparation I received from coaches, teammates, athletic trainers, and instructors prepared me for the professional life I am enjoying today. I am deeply appreciative of their efforts. I also must thank my parents. It is their support and encouragement that paved the way for my achievements. It is with deep gratitude to the NCAA and Academy of Art University that I am nominated for this award."

The NCAA Woman of the Year nominations are now under review by each school's conference office and two individuals will be submitted as the conference nominee to the NCAA. A selection committee then selects the Top 30 – 10 from each division and, lastly, three finalists from each division. The Committee on Women's Athletics selects the winner from the Top 9. The 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced, and the Top 30 honorees celebrated, at the annual award ceremony Oct. 16 in Indianapolis.