The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recently announced the recipients of the postgraduate scholarship for fall student-athletes. Included among the 29 female scholarship honorees across all three divisions was standout volleyball player Carlee Hoppe. The scholarship, which Bethel has received 12 times in total and 10 times over the last 10 years, awards Hoppe $7,500 to apply towards a postgraduate degree.
 
"The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes that excel academically and athletically and who are in their final year of college athletics," stated the NCAA. "The postgraduate scholarship was created to promote and encourage postgraduate education by rewarding the Association's most accomplished student-athletes through their participation in NCAA championship and/or emerging sports."
 
Hoppe finished her storied career with four MIAC First Team All-Conference accolades, becoming just the 10th player in league history to accomplish this feat. She was also the first Bethel volleyball player to record more than 1,300 kills, 1,100 digs, and 1,500 points over her career.
 
"Carlee has an extraordinary work ethic and revels in competing," said head volleyball coach Gretchen Hunt. "She turns ideas into actions and handles demands that pull her in many different directions remarkably well. Carlee's excellence on the court and in the classroom, and her service in the community has set a standard for Bethel University volleyball."
 
Hoppe was voted American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American honorable mention, AVCA First Team All-Region, and NCAA Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Championships in 2015. Additionally, the Shakoppe, Minn., native received 10 all-tournament team selections during her career and was voted MIAC Rookie of the Year in 2013.
 
Her success went far beyond the court, as Hoppe amassed a 3.78 GPA while majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish. Her Spanish minor came alive when studying abroad in Guatemala during the spring 2016 semester. Her academic prowess led to three MIAC Academic All-Conference honors and six semesters on Bethel University's Dean's List.
 
Hoppe has been very active in the community as well. She was part of the founding group for Bethel's chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and remained in leadership for the past two years. That came after she spent an entire summer as an intern for FCA volleyball in Newport, California. Hoppe has also served as a volunteer teacher for Karen Kids with the Awana program at Trinity Baptist Church and participated in numerous Special Olympics events.
 
Hoppe's next step is to become a physician assistant. She'll be applying to P.A. programs in this spring with the hopes to enroll in the fall of 2017.  

Year	Name	Sport
2017	Carlee Hoppe	Volleyball
2016	Rachel Parupsky	Women's Basketball
2016	Matt Berens	Men's Cross Country
2015	Kyle Zimmermann	Men's Basketball
2014	J.D. Mehlhorn	Football
2013	Gavin Maurer	Football
2012	Nicole Wreidt	Volleyball
2010	David Benjamin	Football
2008	Nikki Umhoefer	Women's Cross Country
2007	Kirby Carr	Baseball, Football
2005	Matt Wassink	Football
1999	Carrie Ritland	Volleyball