Division III Week Student Spotlight - Bria Rochelle
This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the seventh-year event.
Division III Week, which runs from Monday through Sunday, is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes.
As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, five student-athletes will be featured this week. Huntingdon senior Bria Rochelle is today's featured student-athlete.
By Audrianna Hargitt
Sports Information Assistant
Name: Bria Rochelle
Year: Senior
Hometown: Mobile, Ala.
Major: Exercise Science
Career Goals: Plans to either work in an organization that deals with transitional operations with the homeless or work in the ministry
Sport: Volleyball / Beach Volleyball
Athletic Accomplishments: Rochelle is a four-year player in volleyball and a two-year player in beach volleyball. She played in 135 indoor volleyball matches during her career and recorded 1,051 kills, 1,136 digs, 169 blocks and 135 aces. Since 2006, she ranks first for Huntingdon with 463 sets played, second in kills, third in digs and fifth in blocks and aces. She was a second-team USA South West Division selection as a senior, is a three-time USA South Sportsmanship Award winner and has been named to the USA South Academic All-Conference team each season. In beach volleyball, she has been a part of the first five wins in program history. As a junior, she teamed with Alexis Creasman to win the first individual beach volleyball match in Huntingdon history.
Academic Achievements and Campus Activities: Rochelle, who was crowned the Homecoming Queen in 2017, has been a Huntingdon Ambassador and Orientation Leader and is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, the Judicial Board, campus ministries and HLA.
What made you feel like Huntingdon was the right place for you? "While I was on tour, I was greeted by and introduced to everyone that we passed. It was such a welcoming environment that I knew I was where I was supposed to be."
What has made your Huntingdon experience unique? "I have been able to compete in athletics, while being involved in different organizations. I was able to gain support, not only from other students, but faculty as well. I developed close relationships with faculty members, which helped with my experience."
How has Huntingdon challenged you academically and athletically? "I took honors classes, which required extra assignments. I had to stay on top of my class work, while working with our intense volleyball schedule. Athletically, our expectations were raised and required extra work outside of practice to become a better player."
What has been your biggest highlight as a Huntingdon student-athlete? "Senior Day was a huge highlight. Being surrounded by my team, and having the faculty and staff that came to give me their support, was a cherry on top of an awesome four years."
As a student-athlete, what is your impression of Division III now compared to your first season? "There is a huge emphasis on sportsmanship and creating relationships throughout the conference. I was able to develop relationships outside of my team, which has been a true marker for what Division III athletics stands for."