FGCU women’s soccer standout Holly Fritz was named the ASUN’s Co-Female Student-Athlete of the Year, along with Lipscomb cross country/track athlete Courtney Brenner, as announced by the league Wednesday evening. This is the second prestigious honor that Fritz has received in the past month and a half. The graduate was named co-recipient of the distinguished Ken Kavanagh Eagle Scholar-Athlete Award, the highest honor FGCU bestows upon a graduating senior student-athlete, at the 2019 Nesties Senior Send-Off event.
“We could not be more proud of Holly for achieving such a high honor,” head coach Jim Blankenship said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of an award like this. She’s an extremely hard worker and takes pride in what she does both on and off the field. She was equally committed to soccer and academics and excelled at both at an extremely high level. We will certainly miss having her on the field with us this fall.”
Fritz (Cape Coral, FL/Mariner HS/Florida State) is the second Eagle in FGCU history to receive the honor. Women’s basketball’s Courtney Chihil was the first to do so in 2012. The award is given out based on academic achievement, athletic performance and civic engagement and has recognized the top student-athletes in the ASUN since its inception in 1992.
“We are thrilled for Holly for another tremendously well-earned high honor,” director of athleticsKen Kavanagh said. “She has been a phenomenal ambassador for both FGCU and the ASUN and her blueprint followed epitomizes the definition of what a Scholar-Athlete truly represents.”
The midfielder owned a near-perfect 3.98 GPA in biology and became the first-ever First Team Academic All-American in FGCU history. Fritz was also named a United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American and was voted the 2018 ASUN Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She graduated summa cum laude in December and has completed published research through the FGCU biology department.
During her two seasons with the Green and Blue, she established herself as one of the best players in program history and was named to the All-ASUN First Team both years. In 2017, she helped lead the Eagles to both the regular season and tournament crowns. A two-time ASUN Player of the Week selection, she finished the 2017 season in the top 10 in the nation in assists and finished her career ranked in the FGCU top-10 in seven different categories. Fritz was a semifinalist for the 2018 Senior CLASS Award and was also a two-time member of the United Soccer Coaches Association Southeast All-Region Team (First Team 2018, Second Team 2017).
In addition to her dedication both on the field and in the classroom, Fritz also carved out plenty of time to give back to the community. She volunteered on campus by helping with freshman move-in at South Village and assisted with soccer camps and clinics. Off campus, Fritz was involved with Habitat for Humanity, the Harry Chapin Hunger Walk, and the Special Olympics. She was also committed to giving back to the local soccer community and volunteered as a coach for her hometown’s youth soccer club.
ASUN Spring Meeting Awards
Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Ervin Chang, Liberty, Men’s Golf
Co-Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Holly Fritz, FGCU, Women’s Soccer
Co-Female Student-Athlete of the Year: Courtney Brenner, Lipscomb, Cross Country/Track & Field
Winners in Life: Glenn Brickey, Stetson, Athletic Trainer
Winners in Life: Manny Velasquez, UNF, Track & Field
All-Time ASUN Female Student-Athlete of the Year winners
2018 – Eden Meyer, UNF, Track & Field
2017 – Samantha Turner, Jacksonville, Track & Field
2016 – Kree Clark, Jacksonville, Track & Field
2015 – Sammiee Strausbaugh, Jacksonville, Volleyball
2014 – Tessa Hoefle, Lipscomb, Cross Country/Track & Field
2013 – Rachel Hannon, Jacksonville, Women’s Lacrosse
2012 – Courtney Chihil, FGCU, Women’s Basketball
Whitney Kilhni, Lipscomb, Softball
2011 – Jenna Bartsokas, Lipscomb, Women’s Basketball
2010 – Brittany Thune, Belcome, Cross Country/Track & Field
2009 – Natasha Harvey, Jacksonville, Track & Field
2008 – Courtney Maxey, Mercer, Women’s Soccer
2007 – Katherine Warden, Garder-Webb, Cross Country/Track & Field
2006 – Erin Ashton, ETSU, Women’s Soccer
2005 – Kristy Brown, Stetson, Women’s Basketball
2004 – Rachel Hassan, Troy, Volleyball
2003 – Crystal Brim, Campbell, Women’s Basketball
2002 – Candice Mitchell, Belmont, Women’s Basketball
2001 – Sara Moore, Campbell, Women’s Basketball
2000 – Lisa Baswell, Jacksonville, Women’s Basketball
1999 – Lisa Baswell, Jacksonville, Women’s Basketball
1998 – Claire Lenox, Samford, Track & Field
1997 – Ashley Moore, Campbell, Women’s Basketball
1996 – Martha Chaney, Centenary, Volleyball
1995 – Christie Mikolajchak, SLU, Volleyball
1994 – Kristy Risner, Centenary, Volleyball
1993 – Renata Smekalova, SLU, Women’s Tennis
FOLLOW ALONG
For constant, news, photos, videos and updates you can follow the women’s soccer team on Twitter @FGCU_WSoccer, on Instagram @FGCU_WSoccer or on Facebook: Facebook.com/FGCUWSoccer. You can also find FGCU athletics on YouTube by visiting YouTube.com/FGCUEagles.