NATCHITOCHES—Following a standout senior campaign with Northwestern State both on the court and in the classroom, Ayu Ishibashi was named Academic All-Southland Conference Second Team, the league announced Monday. 

Ishibashi, a native of Chiba, Japan, continued to shine for the Lady Demons both athletically and academically during the 2024 season. 

A Second Team All-Southland Conference selection in both singles and doubles, Ishibashi led NSU with a 10-3 overall record in singles play, including a 7-2 mark in conference matches, second on the team. 

Paired with junior Sofi Garcia, Ishibashi added to her accolades in doubles, posting a 7-4 overall record and going 4-2 in Southland play at the No. 2 position. The pair's efforts earned them All-SLC Second Team recognition in doubles. 

Off the court, Ishibashi was just as impressive. Majoring in Health and Exercise Science, she boasted a 3.9 GPA, demonstrating her strong commitment to academic excellence. 

Ishibashi's late-season surge in singles, highlighted by an 8-0 start in conference play, helped propel NSU to the No. 3 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament. The Lady Demons continued their tradition of postseason success by advancing to the semifinals once again. 

Ishibashi's recognition underscores her role as a vital contributor to the program's success and a model student-athlete for NSU. 

Student Athlete of the Year: Salome Fluri, McNeese 

First Team (*denotes automatic selection by virtue of First-Team All-Conference) 

Salome Fluri, McNeese* 
Ana Hollweg, McNeese* 
Elena Morales, McNeese* 
Stella Rundova, McNeese* 
Jemma Cave, SFA* 
Ksenia Mamontova, SFA* 
Sonja Rooth, SFA* 
Yana Mykytyn, A&M-Corpus Christi* 
Ksenia Ramanouskaya, A&M-Corpus Christi* 

Second Team 
Ayu Ishibashi, Northwestern State 
Josefa Fuenzalida, A&M-Corpus Christi 
Juliette Jalai, A&M-Corpus Christi 
Ana Paula Chavez, SFA 
Fleur Sprengers, New Orleans 
Kristal Dule, UTRGV