Allison Zastrow, a senior setter from Washington University in St. Louis, was named the volleyball nominee for the Class of 2016 Division III Honda Athlete of the Year as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) today.

She is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII Honda Athlete of the Year honor. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 40th year.

“I am extremely honored to be nominated for the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year Award,” stated Zastrow. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent all of the outstanding volleyball players in DIII, and especially my WashU teammates who made my last season as a Bear such a joy.”

Zastrow was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s (AVCA) Player of the Year and first-team All-American. The 2015 University Athletic Association (UAA) Most Valuable Player, Zastrow finished the season ranked second in the nation in Division III with 1,525 assists.

She helped lead the Bears' offense to top-10 rankings in kills per set (first-14.41), assists per set (second-13.28), total kills (second-1,902), total assists (second-1,753), and hitting percentage (fifth-.268). In addition to ranking second in the country in total assists, Zastrow was second individually with 11.64 assists per set.

The setter ranks ninth on WashU's all-time single-season leaderboard with her 1,525 assists this season. She is also 10th in school history with 2,624 career assists.

"I couldn't think of anyone more deserving than Allison Zastrow," said head coach Vanessa Walby. "She is exactly what every coach wants as a player. Allison has been asked to play almost every position here at WashU and has excelled while having one of the best attitudes a player can have. She is truly an asset in every way possible for our program."

All sports nominees from DIII and DII become a finalist for the prestigious 2016 Honda Collegiate Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented on a live telecast on June 27, 2016, in the Founders’ Room at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in downtown Los Angeles.

The sports nominees are recognized in 11 DIII and DII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.

The CWSA, celebrating its 40^th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its sponsorship thirty years ago in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.0 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.