INDIANAPOLIS - Belhaven Softball standout and alumna Ellie Jones has been named as one of the top 30 finalists for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award presented annually by the NCAA to a female student-athlete who has completed their undergraduate studies and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers. 

Jones earns this nomination and finalist status following her being named as the Collegiate Conference of the South Woman of the Year in July. The Belhaven standout has made a significant impact on and off the field during her time in Jackson. A multi-time All-American for the Blazers' nationally ranked softball program, Jones is coming off one of the best offensive seasons in program history where she set single-season program records in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Her contributions also earned her the 2025 CCS Softball Player of the Year award as she helped lead Belhaven to a CCS Tournament Championship and a fifth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

In the classroom, Jones has been just as much of a standout as she has been on the field. Jones' academic success earned her a CSC Academic All-American recognition earlier this summer and across her career, Jones has earned multiple Academic All-District awards. Her academic achievements at Belhaven have also led to an opportunity to continue her education as she enters Dental School at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Jones also has made her mark in the community during her time at Belhaven, volunteering at the Mississippi Children's Museum Science Fest and helping with the food pantry and child care at the We Will Go ministry in the Jackson area.

From the NCAA on the Woman of the Year award:

Established in 1991, the award is rooted in Title IX and recognizes female student-athletes who have completed their undergraduate studies and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers. 

Selected from a record-breaking 631 nominees submitted by member schools — a group that was then narrowed to 167 nominees at the conference level — the Top 30 honorees include 10 from each of the three NCAA divisions. Each honoree has demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. The honorees competed in a total of 14 NCAA championship sports and two NCAA Emerging Sports for Women. They have a variety of majors, including chemistry, mathematics, biology, education, engineering, psychology, nursing, computer science, journalism, sport management and more. 

"These honorees represent the very best of what it means to be a student-athlete, and the character-building potential that is inherent in all athletic pursuits. They have distinguished themselves among the many thousands of collegiate athletes who find and surpass their limits every day on the journey to becoming their best selves, not just in sport, but in life," said Marion Terenzio, chair of the Woman of the Year Selection Committee and president of SUNY Cobleskill. "I congratulate all of the remarkable women named to the Top 30 and applaud their demonstrated ability to create positive change in themselves and in the world around them."

From these 30 finalists, the Woman of the Year Selection Committee will choose the 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year, who will be announced this fall and recognized at the NCAA Convention in January. 

Ellie Jones on her athletic journey

 "My athletic career has been one of the greatest opportunities for growth in my leadership capabilities. As a two-year captain of the Belhaven University volleyball team, I stepped into a position that required emotional intelligence, responsibility, and humility. It was on the softball field however, where I played in four NCAA tournaments, advanced to three Super Regionals, and competed in a national championship where I truly came to understand leadership without a title. Surrounded by strong, self-led women, I witnessed many styles of leadership and learned to lead in my own way. This environment empowered me to grow at my own pace, fostering a deep respect for servant leadership and team-first mentality."

Others on Ellie Jones impact

"It is an honor to have Ellie in the Belhaven family. From the earliest days of her freshman year, we've watched her serve others, excel academically, compete fiercely and successfully, and embody the heart of what it means to be a teammate. She has been recognized along the way for achievements on and off the field, and her selection as CCS Woman of the Year is a fitting choice, among a tremendous group of outstanding women in our conference." - Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Little

"Ellie will be remembered in the record books as one of the best to ever play softball at Belhaven. Her accomplishments on the field speak for themselves, but I am more proud of who she is off the field and the type of character she displayed on a daily basis. I can not think of a better woman to represent our conference." - Associate Athletics Director and Head Softball Coach Kevin Griffin

"Ellie is fully deserving of this recognition with the impacts she has made on and off the field. She's a world class competitor who established herself as one of the best in the country on the field and she brings the same drive and work ethic to her academics. She has been a fantastic representative of Belhaven and a true embodiment of the name student-athlete." - Assistant Athletics Director for Communications Kenneth Nash

To view the full release from the NCAA and other candidates for NCAA Woman of the Year click here.

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