FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno Pacific's volleyball setter Mikayla Weiss and track & field freshman Tevž Podlipnik were selected for the PacWest Scholar-Athlete of the Year award after combining elite athletic performances with outstanding academic achievement.

Weiss, a graduate student pursuing her Master of Business Administration, maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while leading the Sunbirds to a history-making season on the court. The Clovis-native was recognized as the PacWest Volleyball Scholar Athlete of the Year. She was one of five student-athletes selected who had a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average. The remarkable setter collected numerous accolades throughout the year, earning AVCA Third Team All-America honors and being named the PacWest Setter of the Year. She was also selected to First Team All-PacWest, AVCA All-West Region First Team, and D2CCA All-West Region Second Team. Weiss capped off her season by earning All-Tournament Team recognition at both the PacWest Championships and the NCAA West Regional Tournament. Her contribution led the Sunbirds to their first PacWest championship title in program history.

"Mikayla embodies everything this award represents," said volleyball head coach and PacWest Coach of the Year Kelsee Montagna. "She has pursued excellence with unwavering discipline, led with humility, and consistently honored God through her actions both on and off the court. Her achievements are remarkable, but it is her character, integrity, and servant-hearted leadership that truly set her apart. Being named the PacWest Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year is a reflection of who she is every day - a remarkable student, athlete, leader, and person."

Podlipnik snagged the PacWest Men's Track and Field Scholar Athlete of the Year honor. As a kinesiology major with a 3.6 GPA, he put together one of the most impressive freshman campaigns of the year. He was named the PacWest Freshman Field Athlete of the Year and claimed the conference title in the javelin with a mark of 68.05 meters. Podlipnik also earned USTFCCCA All-West Region honors and concluded the regular season ranked No. 1 nationally in the event. To top it all off, the javelin thrower from Slovenia earned First Team All-America honors after finishing as the NCAA Division II national runner-up, recording a personal-best throw of 72.09 meters at the national outdoor championships.

Along with the other 15 student-athletes selected across all 15 PacWest sports, Weiss and Podlipnik will be nominated for the overall 2025-26 Male and Female Scholar Athletes of the Year the following week. The PacWest's Athletic Directors will have the ultimate decision on the final selections.

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