KENNESAW, Ga. – Five Kennesaw State University student-athletes were chosen as Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine for their outstanding success in academics and athletics.
Bri Becerra, Brea Dickey, Morgan Harrison, William Nana-Fabu, and Tiffany Sornpao were the recipients.
Becerra, a junior defensive specialist from Peachtree City, Ga. was one of five Owls to play in all 115 sets in the 2019 volleyball season. She logged 39 service aces, averaging 0.34 service aces per set, to tie the previous single-season record, and broke the single-match record for aces in a three-set match with six at North Alabama. Becerra recorded a career-high 18 digs in the ASUN Conference Championship match against FGCU. She is majoring in early childhood education.
Dickey, a senior outfielder from Lawrenceville, Ga. was recently named a CoSIDA Academic All-America. She earned a cumulative 4.00 GPA as of last semester on her second major. After graduating last year in integrative studies, she is studying health and physical education. In 2020, she torched the competition. Dickey led the team in average (.448), at-bats (88), runs (23), hits (39), triples (4), total bases (52), and sacrifice hits (3). Impressively, Dickey struck out just three times as the typical two-hole batter. Nationally, she ranked sixth in hits, eighth in triples, 48th in average, 78th in total bases, and was the 33rd-toughest batter to strike out.
Harrison, a spring 2020 graduate from Canton, Ga. made 15 starts as a midfielder for the women's soccer team. She totaled 14 shots with three on-goal and was a stalwart defensively. Harrison played a career-high 1276 minutes and helped lead the Owls to an ASUN runner-up finish. She graduated with a degree in journalism and emerging media.
Nana-Fabu, a junior center from Columbus, Ga. started all 14 games in 2019 for KSU's playoff squad. He paved the way for Kennesaw State to finish atop the country in rushing yards per game at 342.4 yards per contest and average 6.3 yards per rush. Nana-Fabu helped KSU set the program record with 58 rushing touchdowns, including three different games with six rushing scores. He is currently studying cybersecurity.
Sornpao, a redshirt-senior from Berkeley Lake, Ga. started in all 20 matches with a combined career total of 4290 minutes of playing time. The goalkeeper set a career first of two assists, one against Charleston Southern and the other against Stetson. She saved 61 shots on goal and logged seven shutouts. Sornpao is majoring in finance.
The Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Awards were established to honor minority undergraduate students who best exemplify academic and athletic achievement. To be included, students have to compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or more, be at least a sophomore, academically, and be active on their campuses or in their communities.
Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, Jr.'s commitment to education as well as his love for the game of tennis, U.S. colleges and universities are invited to participate in this annual awards program by nominating their outstanding sports scholars. In addition to their athletic ability and academic performance, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars demonstrate a commitment to community service and student leadership.
