St. Thomas volleyball player Whitney Lloyd was one of 58 names announced on March 8 to receive the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for the fall of 2017.

Lloyd, a biochemistry major, and Gustavus’ Josie Mazzone were the only two players from the MIAC to win the award. Each recipient received $7,500 from the NCAA to help pay for tuition for graduate school.

“It is just really nice,” Lloyd said. “Being Division III, we do not have scholarships. I am just really grateful to have that help.”

Only 29 males and 29 females from any division in the NCAA are able to be selected. With thousands applying each year, the selection process is a complicated one.

“I had no idea how competitive it was,” Lloyd said. “I didn’t realize that it was between all divisions and between all sports, but I am super grateful to have this scholarship because it will definitely come in handy.”

Applying for the award takes time. According to the NCAA, students must be nominated by their school’s Faculty Athletics Representative, write an essay, send in their transcripts with a minimum grade point average of 3.20 and send in four letters of recommendation.

“It is kind of a big process,” Lloyd said.

Coach Thanh Pham, who nominated Lloyd for the award, is happy that his player was one of the few chosen.

“We were very hopeful that she would get this scholarship, and we are so glad that she did,” Pham said. “She is a great role model. She puts academics first. The way she leads by example is outstanding.”

Lloyd has not decided what her plans are with the award, but she is looking forward into putting it to good use.

“Even though I am done playing college volleyball, it is still going to impact me and my future too,” Lloyd said.

Matthew Curry can be reached at curr1523@stthomas.edu