AUSTIN, Texas – UIndy softball standouts Emily O'Connor and Kenzee Smith were both named to the 2024 Academic All-America® First Team, it was announced Tuesday. Selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC), the annual list recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. UIndy was the only Division II school with two honorees on the first team.
 
O'Connor picked up her first-ever Academic All-America® nod, while Smith became a two-time honoree after inclusion on the third team last year. The duo led UIndy to an historic season this past spring, winning the Midwest Region crown and a pair of World Series games on the way to setting a program record with 60 total wins.
 
Both student-athletes crafted record-breaking seasons of their own. Smith was voted the NFCA Division II Pitcher of the Year after leading the nation in wins, ERA and shutouts, setting new program marks in the latter two. O'Connor, meanwhile, broke UIndy single-season records for both home runs and RBIs and finished her collegiate career as the program's all-time leader in both categories.