St. LOUIS – In an effort to honor the achievements of exceptional student-athletes, the Missouri Valley Conference has created the State Farm MVC Good Neighbor Award. Missouri State beach volleyball player Mikaela Mosquera is one of 10 honorees named by Commissioner Doug Elgin for the 2018-19 spring season.

Mosquera, a junior for the Beach Bears, has been on the Dean's List each semester at MSU, is a four-time Maroon & White Scholar-Athlete, and has twice earned the MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award. 

In the sand, Mosquera participated in all but one match for MSU this season, posting a 10-12 record playing anywhere from the first through fourth positions. She ranks third in school history with 18 career victories.

Also active in the community, Mosquera's service opportunities include Buddy Bears, DKMS Bone Marrow Donor Registration Drive, Jordan Creek Nursing Home, Night to Shine, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Bears Read, Boys & Girls Club, Isabel's House Snowfest, Special Olympics Missouri, Greater Ozarks Audubon Society, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Brownie Bears, Global Crafts of the Ozarks, and Northern Illinois Food Bank.

In order to be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition. The Valley recognizes 10 student-athletes three times annually (fall, winter, spring), for a total of 30 honorees. Institutions select their State Farm MVC Good Neighbor Award honorees.