Rachel Anderson

Classroom

In the classroom, Rachel Anderson is a three-time Conference USA Academic Honor Roll recipient. Anderson has both Western Kentucky University Dean’s List and President’s List recognitions to her name for her efforts. In addition to her sports management major, Anderson is minoring in non-profit administration. Thanks to her discipline in the classroom, the Sturgis, Mich., native is set to graduate with her bachelor’s degree this December and will start graduate school classes at WKU in the spring.

Character

From Coach Hudson: “Anderson is every bit as impressive away from the court as she is on it. She’s a good student, a great teammate; she excels in every facet of her life. She’s a very complete young woman, and I think that reflects this Senior CLASS Award nicely. Rachel has a real maturity and calmness about her. I’ve watched her grow up a lot in her time here. From a goofy freshman to the veteran she is now. She’s the calming influence. Rachel’s the person that people go to.

“Rachel’s not always a super vocal leader, but will be when needed. She’s more of a lead-by-example kid with her actions speaking loudly. She has been called upon more this season, and it’s really nice to see her step into the spotlight a bit because she’s certainly had a career that’s worthy of that, and it’s nice to see the attention be on her because she’s a kid that’s done everything at a really high level and she’s done it the right way.

“She’s a very humble player. She gets any kind of award, and she can’t stuff it in her locker and get it behind her fast enough. That’s not why she does things, and that’s why she’s continued to get better because she’s not someone that’s ever felt like she’s arrived in terms of what her goals are. And I think that keeps her driven moving forward.”

Community

Anderson is heavily involved in the community, both in Bowling Green, Ky., and back home in Sturgis, Mich. The senior understands the impact both places have had on her and knows how important it is to reciprocate that support. Community involvement for Anderson includes the following: Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership role, SAAC representative, WKU Athletics Marketing Street Team and Youth for Christ. Anderson spent the summer interning with Youth for Christ back home. She’s also been a speaker at numerous outings, taking advantage of her athletic and spiritual platforms to share her passions with others.

Competition

After earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors during her debut season on The Hill, Anderson has continued to deliver for Head Coach Travis Hudson and the WKU volleyball program. Since then, Anderson has been a two-time first-team All-Conference selection, two-time Conference USA Tournament MVP, two-time AVCA All-Region selection and a 2017 honorable mention AVCA All-American. Anderson provides both consistency and reliability for her squad, never missing a single set in her time with WKU. In both her sophomore and junior campaigns, Anderson registered .414 and .413 hitting percentages, respectively, to rank in the NCAA’s top 10 both seasons. Anderson has already surpassed the 1,200-kill milestone with a career hitting percentage of .380 (as of 9/16) and is closing in on 400 career blocks. Prior to her junior season, Anderson received an invitation to join the U.S. College National Team – Minneapolis Program as just one of 36 players selected to the squad.

(All stats as of nomination time.)