PEORIA, Ill. -- For the 11th consecutive year, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has recognized the academic achievements of the Bradley softball team, naming the Braves one of the organization's 2014-15 All-Academic Teams.  In addition, Bradley had eight individuals earn Division I All-American Scholar-Athlete honors according to a recent release by the NFCA.

Bradley tied for 33rd in the country with a 3.388 grade point average for the 2014-15 academic year after ranking 38th in the nation in 2013-14.  The Braves were fourth among the six Missouri Valley Conference squads to receive NFCA All-Academic Team honors.  Lipscomb boasted the top GPA in the country last year at 3.645. 

In addition to the team award, a total of eight Bradley players earned NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete recognition for posting a 3.50 grade point average or higher for the 2014-15 academic year.  Fifteen Braves earned a spot on the Bradley Athletic Director's Honor Roll both the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 semesters and 17 of 20 student-athletes landed on the Bradley AD Honor Roll at least one semester in 2013-14. 

Four of the eight Braves earned NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete honors for the second straight year and five of the eight honorees were recognized for the second time or more in their career.  Senior Kendall Duffy (Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy) is a three-time NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete and joining her as multiple time selections were seniors Amanda Barna (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg), Alyson Clemente (Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta Valley), Jaelen Hull (Clifton, Ill./Bishop McNamara) and Kathryn Spenn (Williamsville, Ill./Williamsville). 

Sophomores Elizabeth Leonard (Olathe, Kan./Olathe East), Maria Schroeder (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich) and Taylor Willhalm (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) each earned NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete recognition in their first year.  

Bradley Softball is scheduled to open the 2016 season Feb. 12-14 at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.