After leading her team to a perfect 35-0 season culminating in a national championship, former Bentley women's basketball standout Lauren Battista was named the 2014 Honda Division II Athlete of the Year by THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).
Battista, the first in Bentley history to be deemed the top female athlete in Division II, was presented with the award during the live telecast of the 2014 Collegiate Women Sports Awards show on June 30, at the USC Galen Center Founders Room in Los Angeles, Calif.
"It is such an honor to receive the Honda Division II Athlete of the Year Award, said Battista, the all-time leading scorer in Bentley women's basketball history (2,112 points) and a standout in the classroom as well.
"To be selected for this award from among the best Division II female athletes in the country is truly humbling.
"I am extremely proud to represent Bentley University, the Northeast-10 Conference and Division II women's basketball on this national stage," continued Battista, who graduated with a 3.96 gpa.
"I accept this award on behalf of all of my teammates and coaches who played such an important role in helping me become the player and person that I am."
"What an incredible honor for Lauren!" exclaimed legendary Bentley women's basketball coach Barbara Stevens.
"As recognized as she has been throughout her career for her athletic and academic accomplishments, Lauren's selection as the Honda Division II Athlete of the Year is a supreme achievement. Winning the Honda Award caps off a storybook season and phenomenal career for Lauren."
How special is Battista winning this award?
Consider that there are approximately 45,000 student-athletes competing in women's athletics at the Division II level and she was deemed the best during the 2013-14 academic year.
Battista's career concluded March 28 in Erie, Pa. with the Falcons rallying in the final minutes for a 73-65 win over West Texas A&M in the national championship game.
With the victory, Bentley completed a 35-0 season, becoming only the second undefeated national champion in NCAA Division II women's basketball history.
During her amazing four seasons in a Bentley history, Battista was part of teams that amassed a 124-11 record with a Northeast-10 regular season and playoff championship all four seasons, three NCAA Division II East Regional championships and an amazing 27-3 postseason record.