INDIANAPOLIS -- Missouri State's Lily Johnson, who concluded her record-setting volleyball career last fall, has been selected as one of 30 finalists for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award.

Selected from a record 581 school nominees — a group that was then narrowed to 154 nominees by conference offices — the top 30 honorees include 10 from each of the three NCAA divisions. All have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. The honorees competed in 13 sports and studied a broad range of academic majors, including finance, biochemistry, microbiology, kinesiology, nursing and communication.

"These 30 women have demonstrated outstanding commitment to excelling in the classroom and in their sports while also serving their peers and communities," said Sherika Montgomery, chair of the Woman of the Year selection committee and associate commissioner for governance and compliance at The Summit League. "They represent the best and brightest of women competing in college and sports, and we're thrilled to celebrate them and their achievements."

Johnson earned AVCA All-American honors for the fourth consecutive season as a Third Team pick in 2017, and was the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America® of the Year. She finished her career ranked second in NCAA history in career attacks (6,610), third in consecutive sets played (519), and 19th in kills (2,293), all MSU and MVC records. She is also one of 10 players in NCAA history with at least 2,200 kills and 1,500 digs. 

Johnson graduated summe cum laude in May with cell and molecular biology degree.

The selection committee will announce the nine finalists, including three women from each NCAA division, in early October. From those finalists, the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics will select the 2018 NCAA Woman of the Year. The Top 30 will be celebrated and the Woman of the Year will be named Oct. 28 at a ceremony in Indianapolis.