Angelo State University

Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, conferred 625 undergraduate and graduate degrees on 620 graduates during the 2023 fall commencement exercises on Dec. 16 at the ASU Junell Center/Stephens Arena. A full list of the graduates is available on the ASU website at angelo.edu/commencement.

Two Angelo State University political science students earned individual awards for their performances at the recent 27th annual Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States (ESMOAS) Collegiate Summit of the Americas Conference at Baylor University. ESMOAS is an academic parliamentary debate program that brings together the nation's best and brightest college students to debate the issues facing the nations in North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean that are members of the Organization of America States (OAS). Student teams represent delegations from those nations and must prepare, debate and approve resolutions and respond to hypothetical crises regarding the respective foreign policies. Angelo State's team represented Panama during the ESMOAS Summit of the Americas Competition. Hanne Campbell of Boise, Idaho, earned the Recognized Crisis Response Head of State Address Award for leading the ASU team in developing Panama's response to a crisis and navigating the frenetic negotiations with other countries in the span of one hour. Also for ASU, Isabela Casillas of San Angelo earned a Recognized Delegate Award for her committee work in the Secretariat for Integral and Sustainable Development. See more details at angelo.edu/news.

Hannah Kinnison of Sligo, Colo., a senior outside hitter on the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team, has earned NCAA Division II All-America honorable mention from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for her performance during the 2023 season. Kinnison experienced a breakout season, recording more kills (423) than she had in her previous three seasons combined (304). She was the only player in the Lone Star Conference to rank in the top 10 in both kills per set (3.74, 2nd) and hitting percentage (.326, 8th). She notched double-digit kills in 28 of the Belles' 32 matches. This is also just the latest accolade for Kinnison, who was previously named LSC Academic Player of the Year and to the All-LSC first team. She also picked up All-South Central Region honors from AVCA and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). See more details at angelosports.com.

Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant of Amarillo, a senior forward on the Angelo State University Rambelles basketball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week for Week 5 of the season ending on Dec. 3. With McGhee-Pleasant leading the offense, the Belles swept a pair of road games against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International. Against the Javelinas, she scored a career-high 27 points and added seven rebounds and two assists. Against the Dustdevils, she topped her previous high with 28 points and notched her third double-double of the season by adding 10 rebounds. She also posted three assists, two steals and a block as the Belles improved to 2-0 in LSC play. Through nine games this season, McGhee-Pleasant is second on the Belles and eighth in the LSC in scoring at 15.7 points per game - and she leads the Belles and is sixth in the LSC in rebounds at 8.2 per game. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Angelo State University's chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) national honor society recently inducted its fall 2023 class of 73 new student members during a special initiation ceremony in the Houston Harte University Center. PKP is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for students in all academic disciplines. Invitations to join PKP are extended to juniors in the top 7.5% of their class, and to seniors and graduate students in the top 10% of their class. See the complete list of inductees at angelo.edu/news.

Two players on the Angelo State University Rams football team have earned 2023 NCAA Divsion II All-South Central Region accolades from the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). Junior offensive tackle Noah Plsek of West was named to the All-South Central Region first team after helping lead the Rams to the third-best offense in the Lone Star Conference. Over their 10 games, the Rams averaged 384.4 yards and 31.4 points. Plsek was previously named the LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year and to the All-LSC first team. Junior kicker Bradley Larson of Prosper was named to the All-South Central Region second team after leading the Rams in scoring (80 points) and leading the LSC with a .933 field goal percentage that was also second in all of NCAA D-II. Overall, he made 14-of-15 field goal attempts and 38-of-39 extra point attempts on his way to also being named to the All-LSC second team. The Rams finished the season at 7-3 overall and 6-2 in the LSC, narrowly missing out on the NCAA D-II Playoffs. See more details at angelosports.com.

Hannah Kinnison of Sligo, Colo., a senior outside hitter on the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team, has been named to the 2023 NCAA Division II All-South Central Region Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) - and to the All-South Central Region second team by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). Kinnison ranked second in the Lone Star Conference in kills per set (3.82), third in total points (428) and eighth in hitting percentage (.335). She was also named to the All-LSC first team after helping lead the Belles to a 22-6 overall record and third place in the LSC regular-season standings at 12-4. Majoring in food animal science and marketing, Kinnison is also carrying a perfect 4.0 grade point average and was named the LSC Volleyball Academic Player of the Year. Kinnison and her ASU teammates will begin play in the NCAA D-II South Central Regional on Thursday in Canyon, Texas, against Regis University. See more details at angelosports.com

Seventeen players on the Angelo State University Rams football team have earned a total of 19 All-Lone Star Conference accolades for their performances during the 2023 season. Highlighting the All-LSC first team for the Rams are junior guard Noah Plsek of West, who was also named the LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year, and junior Andrew Pitts of McKinney, who made the first-team offense as a return specialist and the first-team defense at defensive back. Also making the All-LSC first team are junior offensive tackle Connor Fisher of Willis, junior wide receivers Kyle Bradford of Prosper and Zorhan Rideaux of Houston, sophomore all-purpose player Brayden Wilcox of San Angelo, graduate student defensive tackle Layton English of Mount Belvieu, junior defensive end Amieh Williams of Houston, junior linebacker Eric Rascoe of San Antonio, senior safety K'Hari Watson of Keller, and junior punter Cade Fuller of Fountain Valley, Calif. Making the All-LSC second team for the Rams are graduate student quarterback Gerald Gardner of Houston, junior kicker Bradley Larson of Prosper, senior linebacker Joshua Booker-Brown of Houston, grad student cornerback Kason McCullough-Cooper of Dallas, and junior safety Jordan McKinney of Waco. Junior running back Alfred Grear of Del Valle was ASU's sole representative on the LSC All-Academic Team. The Rams went 7-3 overall and 6-2 in the LSC this season, narrowly missing out on the NCAA D-II Playoffs. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Sawyer Lloyd of Wall, a senior guard on the Angelo State University Rambelles basketball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week for Week 4 of the 2023-24 season. As the Belles split their first two home games of the season at the Rambelles Classic tournament, Lloyd scored a total of 37 points on 61.5% shooting from the field. In an 80-61 victory over Missouri Southern, she posted 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. In a tight 63-53 loss to No. 15 Tampa, she registerd a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds while adding six assists, three steals and two blocks. The Belles now sit at 4-3 on the young season and will begin their LSC schedule this week with road games at Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Hannah Kinnison of Sligo, Colo., a senior outside hitter on the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Volleyball Academic Player of the Year for the 2023 season. Majoring in food animal science and marketing, Kinnison is carrying a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She previously earned the Division II Athletic Directors Association Achievement Award and the ASU Athletic Academic Excellence Award for 2022-23, and she has twice made the LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll. She also heads the 2023 LSC Volleyball All-Academic Team. Kinnison was also named to the All-LSC first team after helping lead the Belles to a 22-6 overall record and third place in the LSC regular-season standings at 12-4. She ranks second in the LSC in kills per set (3.82) and seventh in hitting percentage (.335). The LSC Volleyball All-Academic Team, selected by the conference sports information directors, recognizes individuals for high-level athletic and academic achievements. To be eligible, student-athletes must have played in at least 50% of their team's contests; reached sophomore athletic and academic standing; and have a minimum 3.30 cumulative grade-point average. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Five players on the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team have picked up All-Lone Star Conference accolades for their performances during the 2023 season. Senior outside hitter Hannah Kinnison of Sligo, Colo., has been named to the All-LSC first team. She notched double-digit kills in 24 of the Belles' 28 matches, and she is the only player to rank in the LSC top 10 in both kills per set (2nd) and hitting percentage (7th). She was also named the LSC Academic Player of the Year. Senior setter Laney Dale of Brock and senior outside hitter Elsa Lamphere of Aurora, Colo., have both been named to the All-LSC second team. Dale led the team in assists (667), service aces (30) and double-doubles (11). Lamphere picks up her third career All-LSC accolade. Additionally, senior outside hitter Evelyn Torres of Forth Worth earned All-LSC honorable mention, and freshman outside hitter Madison (Madi) Parrish of Saginaw was named to the LSC All-Freshman Team. The Belles finished the regular season 22-6 overall and third in the LSC at 12-4. They begin play in the LSC Tournament today (Nov. 16) in Dallas. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Kyle Bradford of Prosper, a wide receiver on the Angelo State University Rams football team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season ending Nov. 12. In the Rams' season-ending 31-13 victory over Western Oregon, Bradford returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to give the Rams a 21-10 lead. He also added four catches for 59 yards and a touchdown at wide receiver. Bradford finished the season as the Rams' second-leading receiver with 21 catches for 513 yards and three touchdowns. The Rams finished the season at 7-3 overall and 6-2 in LSC play (3rd), narrowly missing the NCAA D-II Playoffs. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Mia Czarnecki of Austin, a senior midfielder on the Angelo State University Rambelles soccer team, has been the named the Lone Star Conference Women's Soccer Academic Player of the Year for the 2023 season. A graduate student academically, Czarnecki is pursuing her Master of Science degree in business data science and analytics while carrying a perfect 4.0 grade point average. On the field, she has scored two goals and chipped in a team-high five assists to help the Belles advance to the LSC Championship. She has also been named to the All-LSC third team. The LSC All-Academic team is chosen by the conference's sports information directors, who select players on the basis of both athletic and academic achievement. To be eligible, student-athletes must have played in at least 50% of the team's contests, reached sophomore athletic and academic standing, completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution and have a minimum 3.30 cumulative GPA for their career. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Six players on the Angelo State University Rambelles soccer team have earned All-Lone Star Conference recognition for their performances during the 2023 regular season. Katelin Heise of Lubbock, a senior midfielder, was named to the All-LSC first team for the second straight season. She helped lead the Belles defense that has recorded seven shutouts in the last eight games, while also pitching in a gold and two assists. Madison Maxey of Cedar Park, a senior midfielder, was named to the All-LSC second team. She is tied for the team lead with four goals. Mia Czarnecki of Austin, a graduate student midfielder, and junior goalie Amber Lockwood of San Antonio were named to the All-LSC third team. Czarnecki has also been named the LSC Academic Player of the Year. Defender Christina "Tina" Clark of Trophy Club and midfielder Allyson Reed of Cleburne were named to the LSC All-Freshman Team. The Belles finished the regular season on a 7-game unbeaten run and have advanced to the semifinals of the LSC Tournament. The take on St. Mary's tonight in Dallas. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Angelo State University's chapter of the Alpha Chi national collegiate honor society recently inducted 38 new members for the fall 2023 semester during a ceremony in the Houston Harte University Center. Alpha Chi is one of the nation's most prestigious honor societies that is open to students majoring in all academic disciplines. To be eligible, students must rank in the top 10% of seniors at their college or university, or in the top 7.5% of juniors. See the entire list of ASU's fall 2023 inductees at angelo.edu/news.

Grace Jordan of Fort Worth, a junior forward on the Angelo State University Rambelles soccer team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week for Week 10 of the season ending Nov. 5. In the Belles' only game of the week, Jordan scored the lone goal in a 1-0 road win over Texas Woman's University. It was only the Pioneers' second loss of the season and first loss on their home field. The win also allowed the Belles to clinch the No. 3 seed in the LSC Tournament. Jordan is now tied for the team lead with four goals. The Belles began the LSC Tournament on Monday by defeating Texas A&M International, 3-0, with Jordan scoring the second goal. They will take on St. Mary's in the semifinals on Friday in Dallas. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Laney Dale of Brock, a senior on the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Setter of the Week for Week 10 of the season ending Nov. 6. This is her third Setter of the Week award this season. As the Belles swept two home matches against Arkansas-Fort Smith and Oklahoma Christian, Dale recorded 23 assists in each contest to average 7.67 assists per set, while also chipping in a total of 12 digs and five service aces. With Dale leading the way, the Belles offense hit .308 over the two matches, including .388 against Oklahoma Christian. Dale is averaging 7.06 assists per set for the season and paces the Belles offense that has the second-highest hitting percentage in the LSC. She also leads the Belles in service aces and is second in digs. Currently tied for second in the LSC standings, the Belles close out their regular season this week with road matches at Dallas Baptist and UT Tyler. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Katelin Heise of Lubbock, a senior midfielder on the Angelo State University Rambelles soccer team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8 of the season ending Oct. 22. In ASU's only game of the week, Heise spearheaded the defensive effort in a 4-0 win over West Texas A&M that limited the Lady Buffs to only four shots, including just one shot on goal. She played the entire 90 minutes and also provided two assists. An All-LSC first-team selection last season, Heise also helped lead the Belles to a 0-0 draw on the road against nationally ranked Dallas Baptist University in their previous game. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Sawyer Lloyd of Wall, a senior guard on the Angelo State University Rambelles basketball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Women's Co-Preseason Player of the Year for the upcoming 2023-24 season. The reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Year and Academic Player of the Year, Lloyd led the conference in steals last season (80) and became ASU's all-time assists leader, while also averaging 15.5 points, 4.9 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game. She was also named to the All-LSC first team and D2CCA All-South Central Region first team, was named the TABC Texas Small College Player of the Year, and earned WBCA All-America honorable mention. Now in the coaching, sport, recreation and fitness administration master's degree program, Lloyd helped lead the Belles to the 2022-23 LSC Tournament title and the second round of the NCAA D-II South Central Regional. Lloyd and the Belles begin their 2023-24 season Nov. 3-5 at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead in Billings, Montana. The Belles have been picked to finish first in the LSC Preseason Poll. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Kevon Godwin of Blountstown, Fla., a senior guard on the Angelo State University Rams basketball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Men's Preseason Player of the Year for the upcoming 2023-24 season. An interdisciplinary studies major, Godwin beat out 15 other nominees to claim the Preseason Player of the Year award. He was a first-team All-LSC selection last season after averaging 16.9 points per game overall and 19.7 points per game in LSC play while leading the LSC with a 43.3 shooting percentage from three-point range. He also picked up NABC and D2CCA all-region honors after helping lead the Rams to a runner-up finish at the 2023 LSC Tournament and a spot in the NCAA D-II South Central Regional. Godwin is also the first Ram to earn LSC Preseason Player of the Year honors since 2010-11. He and the Rams will tip off the 2023-24 season with road games against Fort Lewis and New Mexico Highlands on Nov. 10-11. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Laney Dale of Brock, a senior setter on the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Setter of the Week for Week 8 of the season ending Oct. 22. As the Belles swept a pair of home LSC matches over St. Edward's and St. Mary's, Dale averaged a double-double for the weekend. Against St. Edward's, she posted 23 assists and 13 digs, as well as three service aces. Then against St. Mary's, she had an even better match with 24 assists and 17 digs. She now ranks fifth in the LSC in assists per set (7.14). This is the second LSC Setter of the Week award for Dale, who was also honored for her play during Week 3 of the season. The Belles are currently tied for first in the LSC and will hit the road this weekend for matches at Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Elsa Lamphere of Aurora, Colo., an outside hitter on the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week for her performances during Week 7 of the regular season ending on Oct. 15. A senior interdisciplinary studies major, Lamphere helped lead the Belles to conference road wins over Lubbock Christian (3-1) and Eastern New Mexico (3-0). Against LCU, she notched 16 kills with a .344 hitting percentage and also chipped in three blocks. In the sweep of ENMU, she buried a match-high 13 kills with a .370 hitting percentage, and again recorded three blocks. For the week, Lamphere averaged 4.14 kills per set and had a .356 hitting percentage. The Belles currently sit tied for second in the LSC and continue their schedule this weekend with home matches against St. Edward's and St. Mary's. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Anna Eischen of Rowlett, a freshman on the Angelo State University Rambelles cross country team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Women's Runner of the Week for the final week of the LSC regular season. Competing in the home ASU Blue & Gold Classic, Eischen finished second and posted the fastest time among Division II runners in the 6K race. Her time of 24:04.00 was also her collegiate personal best. Next up, Eischen will lead the Rambelles into the LSC Championships on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Eastern New Mexico University. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Andrew Pitts of McKinney, a defensive back on the Angelo State University Rams football team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week for Week 7 of the season ending on Oct. 15. In the Rams' 38-16 road win over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday, Pitts notched a team-high nine tackles (7 solo), as well as an interception, a pass breakup and a half sack. He also led the ASU defense that held the Javelinas to just 267 yards of total offense and kept them out of the end zone until the fourth quarter when the outcome had already been decided. A junior kinesiology major, Pitts is now third in the LSC is passes defended, and he helps spearhead the No. 1 scoring defense in the conference. The Rams are now ranked No. 19 in the latest AFCA national poll and will host their Homecoming Game against UT Permian Basin on Oct. 21. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Hanna Kinnison of Sligo, Colo., a senior outside hitter on the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team, has been named the Lone Star Conferenc Offensive Player of the Week for Week 5 of the season ending Oct. 1. A food animal science and marketing major, Kinnison averaged 4.71 kills per set as the Belles went 2-0 for the week with victories over Texas Woman's University and Midwestern State to remain undefeated (4-0) in conference play. Against TWU, Kinnison notched 14 kills, and then had a 19-kill effort against Midwestern State. She also added eight total blocks and totaled 37.5 points for the week. She is the only player in the LSC to rank in the top five in both kills (2nd) and hitting percentage (4th). See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Jaylon Lockett of Missouri City, a sophomore physics major at Angelo State University, has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year through the TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Program (TUTSP) that is administered by the national Society of Physics Students. The TUTSP is a cooperative effort of the American Association of Physics Teachers, American Astronomical Society, American Institute of Physics, American Physical Society and Society of Physics Students. It was launched in 2022 to aid Black and African American students who are pursuing bachelor's degrees in physics and astronomy - and who show financial need. Fewer than 50 first-time TEAM-UP Together Scholarships have been awarded each year nationwide, and Lockett is the first ASU student to receive a scholarship award. He will be eligible to apply for scholarship renewal each year. See more details at angelo.edu/news.

Laney Dale of Brock, a senior on the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team, has been named the Lone Star Conference Setter of the Week for Week 3 of the season ending Sept. 17. As the Belles went 2-1 at the LSC Crossover Tournament in Kingsville, Dale posted a double-double for assists and digs in all three matches. That included 32 assists and 18 digs against Texas A&M-Kingsville, followed by 21 assists and 12 digs in a sweep of St. Mary's, and 30 assists and 16 digs in a five-set win over University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Overall, she averaged 6.83 assists per set for the tournament. Dale is the first Belles player to earn a LSC weekly award since November 2021. She currently ranks fifth in the LSC at 7.17 assists per set for the season. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Andrew Pitts of McKinney and K'hari Watson of Keller, both defensive backs on the Angelo State University Rams football team, have been named to D2Football.com's Elite 100 Watch List entering the 2023 season. Pitts, a redshirt sophomore, is coming off an All-American season in 2022 when he was also named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Back of the Year. He notched seven interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns, 11 pass breakups and 1.5 sacks. Watson, a senior, was named to the All-LSC first team and also picked up All-Super Region 4 honors last season. He recorded 38 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups. The Rams have been picked to repeat as LSC champions this season. They kick off their season on the road against West Alabama on Aug. 31.

Two seniors on the Angelo State University Rambelles soccer team have been named to the Lone Star Conference Players to Watch list ahead of the upcoming 2023 season. Senior midfielder Katelin Heise of Lubbock has been named a LSC Offensive Player to Watch. She scored four goals last season and added four assists, both second on the team. She also earned All-LSC, All-South Central Region and Scholar All-America honors. Sophomore defender Harper Saxon of Bluff Dale has been named a LSC Defensive Player to Watch. She played in every game last season as a freshman and helped lead the Belles defense that posted 10 shutouts and gave up just 16 goals in 20 games. She was also named to the LSC All-Freshman Team. The Belles have been picked to finish second in the LSC this season, which they kick off on Aug. 31 at home against Central Oklahoma. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.

Three members of the Angelo State University Rambelles volleyball team have been named to the Lone Star Conference Players to Watch List heading into the 2023 season. Right-side hitter Maya Smalls of San Antonio, a graduate transfer from St. Edward's University, was named a LSC Offensive Player to Watch. She was an All-LSC first-team and LSC All-Academic Team selection last season for St. Edward's. Junior defensive specialist Caleigh Enax of Haslet was named a LSC Defensive Player to Watch. She led the Belles last season in digs (446) and service aces (35) while also adding 87 assists. Senior setter Laney Dale of Brock was named a LSC Setter to Watch. She led the Belles last season with 529 assists while also notching 14 service aces. The Belles have been ranked fifth in the 2023 LSC Preseason Poll. Their season starts Sept. 1 as they host the 15th annual Kathleen Brasfield Invitational. See more details at angelosports.com and on the LSC website.