Senior middle blocker has been selected to receive the 2023 A.O. Duer Award
MITCHELL — Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball player Ady Dwight of Dakota Wesleyan volleyball has been selected for the 2023 A.O. Duer Award from the NAIA.
This award is given to only one female and one male athlete in all the NAIA. Dwight, a 6-0 senior middle blocker from Langford, was selected from a group of more than 80,000 student athletes. The criteria for the award includes a minimum 3.75 cumulative GPA, scholarship, high character, quality citizenship and high level of play on the court or field.
Dwight's athletic accomplishments include: two-time Academic All-American; three- time NAIA All-American (two times First Team); three-time All-GPAC First Team honoree; American Volleyball Coaches Association West Central Attacker of the Year; No. 3 nationally in 2022 for total kills and No. 2 in the nation in 2022 in kills per set; five-time GPAC Attacker of the Week and GPAC Freshman of the Year.
Dwight shows compassion to her peers, patients, family members and clinical staff as she prepares for a career in nursing. She volunteers in numerous community service projects, including working at countless youth volleyball camps as a counselor; the Glass Slipper organization; Angel Tree organization; Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce; South Dakota Special Olympics and South Dakota REHPS rural healthcare initiative.
In an exceptional example of servant leadership, Dwight works for a memory care unit at Edgewood Healthcare in Mitchell. Anyone who has ever had a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s and memory loss certainly understands the type of caring and compassionate person it takes to work in that setting.
From the first day of classes, Dwight has set herself apart as a student, one that demonstrates excellence in the classroom, compassion for others, and a desire to give to the community. In all of these contexts, she approaches situations with composure and an eager mind that seeks to learn and grow.
"I owe it to Joel Reinesch, Jon Hart, Coach Lindsay Wilber and President Kittle for their continued support and help in receiving this award. It’s been a blessing to be surrounded by individuals who care so much about the student athletes at Dakota Wesleyan and me personally," said Dwight.
DWU head coach Lindsay Wilber lauded her star player. “Ady has worked hard both academically and athletically to be the best version of what a college athlete represents during her time here at Dakota Wesleyan University. This award could not be presented to a better individual.”
The awards luncheon and ceremony will be during the 2024 NAIA National Convention in Kansas City, Mo., which takes place April 5-9, 2024.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Langford High School grad Ady Dwight chosen for NAIA honor
