Trio of Titans Named to IWLCA Academic Honor Roll, Women’s Lacrosse Earns Academic Squad Honors

Fiandaca, Seltzer, and Spader represent IWU on Academic Honor Roll

7/24/2024 2:10:00 PM

IWLCA Release

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's lacrosse squad reeled in a total of four academic honors from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association, announced by the organization Wednesday, July 24. Juniors Mia Fiandaca (St. Charles, Ill.-St. Charles North), Grace Spader (Bloomington, Ill.-Normal Community), and Avery Setzler (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) were named to the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll for the first time in their careers, while the team earned Academic Squad honors.

The IWLCA Honor Roll recognizes junior, senior, and graduate student-athletes that have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher. In total, the IWLCA honored 1,125 student-athletes from 201 institutions at the Division III level.

In order for a program to qualify for the Academic Squad Award, the team must have posted a 3.20 GPA or better for the academic year. Illinois Wesleyan was one of 325 teams across Division I, II, III and NAIA to receive the team award.

Fiandaca, a nursing major with a 3.51 GPA, led the Titans in goals for the 2024 season with 48. Her 51 points and 41 caused turnovers each ranked second on the squad. In her junior campaign, Fiandaca was twice named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Week, earning the accolade March 5 and March 19. She finished the season with 45 draw controls, ranking third on the squad, and her 35 ground balls were the fourth-most on the team.

An environmental studies major, Setzler played a strong role on both ends for the Titans, and holds a 3.83 GPA. The Bloomington, Ill. native finished second on the team with 15 assists, and totaled 40 points on the season, finishing fourth in scoring for the Green and White. Setzler added 41 ground balls, the third-most on the team, 34 draw controls, and 24 caused turnovers.

Spader, a nursing major, posted a 3.72 GPA. She recorded 15 ground balls, 10 caused turnovers, and two draw controls for the Green and White as a defender. Spader appeared in 14 games, starting in nine.

As a team, the Titans achieved a 3.39 GPA for the 2023-24 academic year. IWU was one of four CCIW institutions to garner the team award, joined by Carroll University, North Central College and the University of Chicago. Fiandaca, Setzler, and Spader were joined by 25 other players in the conference to be named to the Academic Honor Roll, as Augustana College, Carroll, North Central, and Chicago also had players receive the award. Chicago led the league with nine honorees apiece.

Print Friendly Version