2025 Athletic Banquet Photo Gallery

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem Department of Athletics put the finishing touches on its 2024-25 athletic seasons with a banquet held in Varsity Gym, located on the Salem Campus, on Wednesday, April 30th. The banquet honored the student-athletes for their individual contributions over the course of the year.

Honored by Salem Director of Athletics, Michael Williams, along with administrative staff and each head coach, student-athletes were recognized for their contributions, impact and overall influence on their respective programs at the ceremony. The award winners are noted below:

Basketball Coach's Award | Amy Pedroza
Capped off her first year at Salem with the third-most points (187) on the unit, averaging 11 points per game … played in 17 games, making 16 starts along the way … converted 61 field goals, including 23 from beyond the arc … successful on 42-of-53 free throws, posting a .792 free throw percentage … grabbed 63 rebounds (53 defensive) along with forcing 29 steals … dished out 25 assists. 

Basketball Hustle Award | Jade Ware
One of five players to reach 100 points on the season for the Spirits, closing with 119 … finished 40-of-167 from the floor, while hitting 39-of-61 from the free throw line … had the third-most rebounds (72) on the team, grabbing 66 on the defensive end … an all-around guard that came through with 30 assists and forced 23 steals. 

Basketball Most Improved Player | Nicole Hester
Hester capped off her first year at Salem by ranking in the Top 3 of 13 major statistical categories … ranked first in field goals made (78), points (217), points per game (11.4), offensive rebounds (70), defensive rebounds (103), total rebounds (173), rebounds per game (9.1) and blocks (21) … made 15 starts in 19 games over the course of the season, logging 620 minutes along the way … led all Salem shooters from the floor, knocking down 78-of-192 field goals, finishing with a 40.6 shooting percentage … was also successful on 61-of-98 free throws (62.2%), which led the Spirits in both free throws made and attempted … finished off the season with seven double-double performances, which tied her alongside Sarah Smith for sixth-most single-season double-double outings in program history … her seven double-double performances were the most since Quntashea Lewis notched 18 double doubles during the 2015-16 campaign. 

Most Spirited Cheerleader | Heavenlyangel Williams
Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Williams was an integral part of the team in each of the last two years. 

Most Improved Cheerleader |  Melanie Tellez
A junior at Salem, originally from Winston-Salem, Tellez joined the program for the first time  in 2024-25. 

Cheerleader of the Year | Jada Hawkins
The lone senior on the cheerleading squad, Hawkins led the way for the team in her second year after being one of the founding members of the team in 2023-2

Soccer Coach's Award | Nathaly Berrezueta
Completed a double major in mathematics and chemistry and a minor in data science at Salem in three years … a first generation college graduate …  started in all 15 matches for the Spirits over the course of the season … capped off the campaign with three goals, seven points and 20 shots … attempted 15 shots on goals for Salem … finished in a tie with teammate Giselle Ramos for third-most goals on the team. 

Soccer Blue & Gold Award | Hallie Kramer
One of five players on the Salem roster to appear in all 15 contests, Kramer capped off her first season with 10 shots, seven shots on goal and two assists. 

Soccer Team Spirit Award | Maddie Sharrai
Appeared in 12 matches for Salem, finishing with eight shots, two shots on goal … one of six players on the unit with at least one assist for the Spirits. 

Soccer Most Valuable Player | Darilyn Nieto
Became the first player in program history to capture three First Team All-Conference awards from the USA South Athletic Conference … also ascended to the top of Salem's all-time career goals scored list with strike against Methodist (September 29), passing Sawyer Ferguson's mark of 47 … netted the second-most single-season goals (18) in program history … attempted 97 shots and 56 shots on goal (.577 SOG pct) during the course of the season … notched her first of three hat tricks in a 6-1 victory over Wesleyan (Ga.) (September 8) with three goals on 10 shots (seven SOG) as she tallied six points along the way … set the program mark for most single-match goals (six), leading Salem to a 7-1 triumph over Warren Wilson (September 13) that resulted in 10 shots (eight SOG). 

Softball Offensive Player of the Year | NeVaeha George
Wrapped up a solid first year at Salem, making 33 starts in 37 games, while boasting a .322 batting average after hitting 29-of-90 at the plate … ranked in the Top-5 of nine statistical categories, of those with 10 starts, including batting average (.322-2nd), total bases (37-2nd), slugging percentage (.411-2nd), hits (29-2nd), sacrifice flies (1-t-2nd), RBI (11-3rd), doubles (5-3rd), home runs (1-t-3rd), walks (7-4th). 

Softball Defensive Play of the Year | Reese Upton
Played in 37 games, making 35 starts along the way, in her first season at Salem … capped off the season by ranking in the Top-5 of 10 offensive categories, including home runs (2-t-1st), sacrifice bunts (5-1st), sacrifice flies (3-1st), runs scored (14-t-2nd), RBI (13-2nd), doubles (6-2nd), stolen bases (6-3rd), slugging percentage (.410-4th), total bases (34-t-4th), hits (20-5th) … topped all Salem fielders in putouts (131) and assists (51). 

Softball Spirit Award | Sarah Simpkins
Appeared in two games over the course of her first year at Salem … made her collegiate debut on March 8th in game two of the series with Covenant, finishing 1-for-1 from the plate with a run scored … had one at bat versus Johnson & Wales (March 22), closing with three put outs at first base.

Softball Most Valuable Player | Maleah Tate
Played in 35 games over the course of the season, earning 33 starts along the way … ranked in the Top-5 of seven offensive categories, among those with 10 starts, including hits (38-1st), runs scored (23-1st), at bats (98-1st), total bases (40-1st), stolen bases (35-1st), on-base percentage (.444-2nd), slugging percentage (.408-4th) … ranked fifth on the team in putouts (51) … reset her own single-season program mark in stolen bases (35), which came on 40 attempts … the 35 stolen bases was tops in the USA South Conference. 

Tennis Freshman Player of the Year | Cymone Crump
Closed out her first season at Salem with an 8-6 singles mark, finishing 5-5 as the No. 2 seed and a perfect 3-0 as the No. 3 seed for the Spirits … the five wins from the No. 2 seed tied here for fifth-most in program history alongside Summer Whitener (2011) ... was also dominant for the Spirits in doubles action alongside teammate Adley Keim … pair shared the distinction of being the top doubles tandem for Salem in 2025. The two closed the regular season with a 9-3 mark, all as the No. 1 seed, and were 4-2 when facing USA South Conference units. 

Tennis Coach's Award | Abrielle Eckenroth
Joined the Salem tennis team in the spring after competing for the indoor volleyball team in the fall of 2024 … finished 4-6 on the season in singles action, winning three matches as the No. 6 seed, while claiming one victory in No. 5 singles play … competed in doubles alongside three teammates, including Emily Buckler, Mariana Faint and Samantha Smiley … with Faint at her side in No. 3 doubles, the pair finished 7-1 on the season … finished her Salem career with the third-most wins in No. 6 singles (nine) in program history … with Faint as her doubles partner the unit tied for the second-most doubles wins as a No. 3 seed alongside Ona James and Leia Pruitt. 

Tennis Most Improved Player | Emily Buckler
Participated in four singles matches for Salem in 2024-25, posting a 1-3 record, all as the No. 6 seed for the Spirits … had her first doubles match of the season, alongside Abrielle Eckenroth, facing Ella Suk and Lisa Kranec (Elon) by a 6-0 margin … teamed with Daisy Ortiz Mendoza to face Alyssa McSpadden and Mackenzie Long (Piedmont) on April 13th … paired with Chloe Koons on April 23rd to square off against Lydia Delich and Remly Fry (Southern Virginia) as the No. 2 seed in the USA South Conference Tournament.

Volleyball Coach's Award | McKenzie Tullock
Leader for the Spirits' back row defense with a team-best 471 digs (3.83 digs/set), 97 assists and tied teammate Jolina Bun for fourth in service aces with 22 … topped the double-digit dig mark on 23 occasions, including three straight to open the season against Ferrum (16), N.C. Wesleyan (13) and Hollins (19). 

Volleyball Rookie of the Year | Leah Rymer
Finished as one of the most acclaimed rookies in the history of both the Salem program as well as the USA South Athletic Conference in 2024 … became just the fifth player in USA South Conference history and first since Averett's Keenan Marks in 2015, to earn a five Rookie of the Week honor from the league in a single season … joins Dana Sandknop (Greensboro), Karlie Long (Meredith), Hannah Shields (Averett) and Marks (Averett) as the only players in league history to earn at least five Rookie of the Week honors … became the first player in Salem volleyball history to eclipse 1,000 assists in a single season, finishing off the season with 1,140 (8.70 assists/set) … was second in both digs (371) and service aces (35) for Salem … dished out at least 30 assists on 21 occasions … reached the 40-assist mark on eight occasions … responsible for at least 30 assists in 13 in of Salem's 18 USA South Conference matches … posted 20 double-double performances over the course of the season. 

Volleyball Spirit Award | Maia Johnson
Joined teammates Aspen Bradley (441 kills) and Anna Rymer (346) by eclipsing the 300-kill mark (324) with a .324 attack percentage (third-best) on the slate … finished first on the team in total blocks (69), one ahead of teammate Anna Rymer, with 25 solo (team-high) and 44 assisted blocks (team-high) on the season … joins Valeria Rosa Lopez as the only players in Salem volleyball history to garner Honorable Mention All-Conference … teamed with Leah Rymer to earn eight of the nine USA South Rookie of the Week honors in 2024. 

Volleyball Most Valuable Player | Aspen Bradley
Regained her title as the program's single-season kill leader (441) with double-digit kills in 28 of 36 matches over the course of the Spirits' record-setting season, becoming the first Spirit with 400 kills in a single season … teamed with Anna Rymer to become the first-ever Salem selections to USA South First Team All-Conference … a highly-efficient hitter for the Spirits, she had 14 matches where she posted at least a .300 attack percentage. 

Beach Volleyball Top Duo | Jolina Bun and Olivia Torres
Jolina Bun finished a combined 11-6 on the season, posting the best duo record (9-6) alongside Olivia Torres … appeared in two matches alongside teammate Maia Johnson, both as the No. 5 seed, and finished 2-0 … made an immediate impact on Spirits Beach Volleyball team after finishing as one of four Spirits with at least 200 digs (217) on the slate, averaging 2.52 digs/set along the way in indoor action … finished tied for fourth-most service aces (22) with teammate McKenzie Tullock. 

Olivia Torres finished a combined 9-6 on the season, posting the best duo record of any Salem pair alongside Jolina Bun … joined forces with Jolina Bun on the week leading up to the March 6th match with Wake Tech CC and the pair captured wins in No. 4 clashes with Skylar / Marliana Vincente (21-13, 21-14) as well as Mary Barnes / Vincente (21-6, 21-9) in the first-ever match played at Salem College … was an immediate contributor to the Salem defensive attack in indoor action with the third-most digs (265), averaging 2.39 digs/set along the way … capped off the season with 25 service aces, third-most on the team behind Anna Rymer (44) and Leah Rymer (35). 

Beach Volleyball Coach's Award | Ellie Scherer
Paired with McKenzie Tullock for all but two matches in the inaugural season, boasting one victory, which came as the No. 1 seed … also played a pair of matches with Leah Rymer as Salem's No. 1 seed … played in 12 matches as Salem's No. 1 seed, alongside Tullock … served as the No. 1 seed in Salem's first-ever match in program history, which came against Spartanburg Methodist (Feb. 15), facing Hana Vucinic and Brantile Price … joined the beach team after making an immediate impact on the Salem indoor unit's offense with the fourth-most kills (199) at a rate of 2.31 kills/set, posting a .207 attack percentage along the way … finished fourth in blocks (30), including 20 assisted blocks. 

Beach Volleyball Most Improved | Ella Brameus
Teamed with Aspen Bradley in all 17 matches, posting the second-most wins (seven) among any duo … claimed a win in the first-ever match for the Salem beach volleyball team as the No. 3 seed, as the pair of Bradley and Brameus took down Layla Van Aernem / Makinnley Smart (Spartanburg Methodist) by scores of 21-15, 21-16 … in indoor action was one of eight players for the Spirits to reach 100 digs, finishing with 138, while driving home 82 kills and adding 20 service aces along the way. 

DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS AWARDS

Spirit Impact Award | JaNae Joyner / Tina Kramer / Robyn Goslen / Rosa Otero / Johnna Lyons / Cassie Jo Cunningham
Awarded to the faculty and staff who are not directly a part of the athletic department, who have supported athletics and greatly impacted our success. These individuals went above and beyond with their time attending games, working games, their energy, and their advocacy of understanding the importance of athletics on a small campus. They know most student-athletes would not be here without athletics.

Leadership Award | President Dr. Summer McGee / Glenn McGee 
This award, in its first year of existence, is presented to individual(s) who have played a vital role in Salem College. They demonstrate shown vision, courage, commitment and sacrifice for the overall institution but has also been the most prominent advocate for the Salem Department of Athletics.  

Presidential Scholar-Athlete Senior Recognition Award | Anna Rymer
The award, which was established in 2025, is presented to a senior student-athlete with the highest GPA and athletic achievements that have been recognized by the USA South Conference.

Rymer posted the second-most kills (346) in the indoor season, but was the most efficient hitter (.329 attack percentage) for Salem in 2024 … teamed with Aspen Bradley to become the first-ever Salem selections to USA South First Team All-Conference … led the way in serve for Salem with a team-best 44 service aces … finished second on the team in total blocks (68), one off the pace of teammate Maia Johnson, with 23 solo and 45 assisted blocks (team-high) on the season … reached double-digit kills on 19 occasions. Joined the inaugural beach volleyball team where she xompeted alongside Leah Rymer on 15 occasions, closing with three wins, including two as the No. 2 seed and one from the No. 3 seed.

Dean's Award | Anayah Noell
The Dean's Award, established in 2025, is being presented to a student-athlete, who has struggled academically, but has shown tremendous strides in turning around their academics. This award is voted on by academic faculty.

Finished off her second year at Salem with the fifth-most points (116) on the team, capitalizing on 39 field goals … responsible for the best free throw percentage (.740) on the team after knocking down 37-of-50 at the charity stripe … active defender with 71 rebounds (48 defensive) … finished with nine steals and two blocks. 

Jess Byrd Scholar-Athlete of the Year | Anna Rymer / Ashlyn Wood
The Jess Byrd Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award was established in 1984 to honor a distinguished professor, Jess Byrd, and to recognize a graduating senior who has attained a strong academic record and exhibited qualities of sportsmanship, athletic ability, and leadership. Both Rymer and Wood maintained 4.0 GPA's, earning the award as a member of the senior class. 

Rymer posted the second-most kills (346) in the indoor season, but was the most efficient hitter (.329 attack percentage) for Salem in 2024 … teamed with Aspen Bradley to become the first-ever Salem selections to USA South First Team All-Conference … led the way in serve for Salem with a team-best 44 service aces … finished second on the team in total blocks (68), one off the pace of teammate Maia Johnson, with 23 solo and 45 assisted blocks (team-high) on the season … reached double-digit kills on 19 occasions. Joined the inaugural beach volleyball team where she xompeted alongside Leah Rymer on 15 occasions, closing with three wins, including two as the No. 2 seed and one from the No. 3 seed. 

In 2024 indoor volleyball, Wood was limited to just 40 sets (13 matches) due to a lower back injury … closed out her final season, after graduating early, with 164 assists, 10 service aces 
and 82 digs … ended her Salem career with 1,525 assists (5.57 assists/set) and 565 digs (2.06 digs/set) while accruing 79 service aces (0.29 service aces/set). 

Director of Athletics Award | Cree Bass, Basketball / Softball
This award, established in 2025, will be presented given to a multi-sport student-athlete who not only competes across seasons but also maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA, contributes meaningfully to the campus community, and makes a significant impact on their teams, whether through stats, leadership, or the kind of presence that helps shape a culture.

Bass finished off her final season on the basketball court for the blue and gold with the second-most points (197) on the team, averaging 10.9 ppg along the way … knocked down 71-of-225 field goals, including 28 3-pointers … was successful on 27-of-38 (.711) free throws and grabbed 111 rebounds, including 95 on the defensive glass … dished out a team-best 48 assists and forced a team-high 32 steals … started the 2024-25 season with four straight double-digit outings, including outings with Montreat (11), Randolph (16), Averett (14), Agnes Scott (10) … upon completion of the basketball season, she played in 22 games over the course of the season for softball, making 19 starts along the way … responsible for 34 put outs … drew six walks. 

Athlete Comeback Award | Olivia Slayton, Soccer
This award is presented to a student-athlete who has faced a significant injury or medical condition, yet found the strength and determination to return to competition. It takes more than physical recovery—mental toughness, relentless grit, and an unshakable love for the game to receive the award. 

Played in 12 of 14 matches for the Spirits during the course of the 2024 campaign … came through with two shots, both shots on goal … made her collegiate debut, along with her first start off the season, against Columbia (S.C.) on September 2nd. 

Nan Tilley Award | Kat Price, Softball
The Nan Tilley Athletic Department Service Award is presented to an individual for exemplary service, selfless dedication, and commitment to the department's philosophy and mission.

Price is completing her degree in public health, while minoring in psychology, maintaining a 3.60 GPA along the way … has been active on the Salem campus in working with Athletic Communications on Gameday, the Student Government President as well as President of Morgan's Message ... also served as the secretary for Students for Reproductive Freedom, Vice President of the ECO club and has been a member of Morgan's Message since her sophomore year … played in the field in 19 games for Salem, making 11 starts along the way … finished 7-for-31 (.226 batting average) at the plate and was responsible for five runs and four RBI … drew five walks … recorded 15 put outs in the field and assisted on eight outs … … made seven appearances in the pitching circle, tossing 8.1 innings along the way … surrendered just 16 hits and two walks while converting one strikeout. 

Anne Woodward Student-Athlete of the Year | Aspen Bradley
Anne Woodward Student-Athlete of the Year award is presented to the Salem College student-athlete who has achieved team and individual greatness during the 2024-25 year.

Regained her title as the program's single-season kill leader (441) with double-digit kills in 28 of 36 matches over the course of the Spirits' record-setting season, becoming the first Spirit with 400 kills in a single season … teamed with Anna Rymer to become the first-ever Salem selections to USA South First Team All-Conference … a highly-efficient hitter for the Spirits, she had 14 matches where she posted at least a .300 attack percentage. 

Bradley followed up a stellar indoor season by team with Ella Brameus in all 17 matches of the inaugural beach volleyball season. The pair posted the second-most wins (seven) among any duo. 

Led by Bradley, the indoor volleyball program again exceeded the preseason expectations in 2024, earning its first-ever share of the USA South Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship after being picked fifth in the polls by the league's coaches. Salem not only established the program record for most wins in a season (30), but it also reached the USA South Conference Tournament Championship, facing No. 1 seed Southern Virginia. 

Bradley was the catalyst for the Spirits, who had the most single-season home wins (15) in program history and managed to stretch their home court winning streak to 20 straight in the process. He also helped Salem post at least 20 wins for the third straight season, a program first, with a 30-6 mark. The Spirits claimed 15 of those wins in USA South Conference play, which also marked a program first, giving them three consecutive seasons with at least double-digit league wins, another program record.

Academic Achievement Recognition
Recognition of those student-athletes with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher

Nicole Hester
Anayah Noell
Cree Bass
Kiersten Nelson
Sarah Simpkins
Riley Dennis
Emma DeNoble
Kayla Dick
Lauryn Fisher
Reece Upton
Madison Long
Griffin Pearce
Katherine Price
Rheanna Tullock
Nathaly Berrezueta
Marissa Doutrich
Sky Sykes
Serenity Powell
Jasmin Solorzano
Haley Eisenbraun
Hallie Kramer
Adelynn Roe
Madision Sharrai
Olivia Slayton
Brieanna Wilson
Kylie Toilolo
Alyx Diggs
Jesse James
Adley Keim
Chloe Koons
Jolina Bun
Adalyn Raney
Grace Royer
Anna Rymer
Leah Rymer
Alysa Thombs
Olivia Torres
Ashlyn Wood 
Daisy Ortiz Mendoza
Cristina Battistini
Samantha Smiley

Cree Bass
Aspen Bradley
Jolina Bun
Madison Long
Daisy Ortiz-Mendoza
Griffin Pearce
Serenity Powell
Samantha Smiley
Sky Sykes
Javien Williams