Eschenberg nominated for 2021 Senior CLASS Award

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — BYU middle blocker Kennedy Eschenberg has been selected as a candidate for the 2021 Senior CLASS Award, one of the most prestigious awards in college athletics.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior or graduate-student and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

Eschenberg and the other candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one male candidate and one female candidate who best exemplifies excellence in community, classroom, character and competition.

The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship in December.

Eschenberg made her collegiate debut in 2017. As a freshman, the WCC named her Freshman of the Year. During her sophomore year, the AVCA recognized her with an All-American honorable mention.

She started in every match as a junior in 2019, becoming the 17th BYU player of all-time to reach 400 career blocks, racking up 425 during the season.

At the end of her junior year, she was named to the All-WCC First Team, CoSIDA Academic All-District Second Team and an honorable mention of the AVCA Pacific South Region. BYU honored her as a Cougar Club Memorial Winner at the annual Y Awards. Additionally, Eschenberg played for the U.S. Collegiate National Team, participating in the World University Games in Italy.

In 2020 as a senior, Eschenberg started in 16 matches, appearing in 52 sets. Within the NCAA, she ranked No. 6 in average blocks per set (1.58) and No. 10 in hitting percentage (.435). She led her team in blocks (82) and racked up 135 kills, with only 18 errors in 269 attempts. At the end of her senior year, she received the following recognitions: AVCA All-American Third Team, AVCA Pacific South All-Region, All-WCC First Team and the Y Award’s Lu Wallace Outstanding Senior Female Athlete.

During her time at BYU, she helped her team advance to the Sweet 16 in 2017 and 2020. BYU reached the Final Four in 2018. In three of her four seasons, Eschenberg has helped BYU earn WCC Championships.

In the classroom, Eschenberg earned a spot on the WCC All-Academic First Team in 2018, 2019 and 2020. In 2019 and 2020, CoSIDA awarded her All-District Eight First Team. In 2020, she also was named Academic All-American Third Team by CoSIDA. 

Back in April, head coach Heather Olmstead commented on Eschenberg’s leadership and character. 

“Kennedy is our rock, especially this year,” Olmstead said. “She is the foundation of what BYU volleyball is. She’s just been so solid from the minute she stepped on campus. Kennedy is the most humble player I have ever coached and the hardest worker. She is eager to get better. She is eager for feedback from coaches. She connects with all her teammates and coaches. People are drawn to her, and she has continued to get better and better at volleyball. I could go on and on. She’s pretty special.”

For more information on all of the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.