LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Tess Van Grouw has been one of the most respected players on this Biola Volleyball roster since she first stepped foot on campus as a freshman back in 2014. Now, as a junior captain and the Eagles' sole libero, she's been rewarded for her talents with her first NAIA All-American honor.

The junior earned honorable mention honors after placing on the All-GSAC team and being named an All-Region player by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association. Van Grouw lead Biola to a 26-11 overall record in 2016 and helped lift the team out of pool play and into the round of 16 at the team's final NAIA National Championship tournament.

"I think Tess put together one of the best seasons by a libero in the history of our program," said Head Coach Aaron Seltzer. "We got to where we got to because of her. She is a fantastic leader on and off the court. She's the only player who was on the court 100 percent of the time and was the anchor of our defense. I am so proud of her and happy for her. She really deserves this."

She becomes the 30th Biola Volleyball player to earn All-American status and her award is the 47th all-time. Van Grouw will be the final NAIA Volleyball All-American as after this season Biola exits the NAIA for the NCAA Division II.

This season was a special one for Van Grouw as she finished second in the Golden State Athletic Conference in digs with 612 total. She was also second in digs-per-game against conference opponents as she accumulated 4.7 digs-per-set while leading the Eagles to a 13-3 mark against GSAC schools.

Her 612 digs is a new single-season school record as she surpassed Katie Stevens' mark of 601 from back in the 2007 season. She was elevated over Stevens' mark thanks to her 52 in four matches at the NAIA Volleyball National Championship last year. Van Grouw also now owns the school record for most digs in a single match thanks to her 39 in a five-setter against Grand View early in the year.

She will return for her senior season next year and will be the team's fearless leader as they enter a new era of athletic competition for Biola. She will be critical as the Eagles go head-to-head with the PacWest's strongest schools and many of the Eagles' traditional rivals, Concordia-Irvine, California Baptist and Azusa Pacific.

Until that point, Van Grouw should cherish the season she and her teammates just finished and be proud of her very well-deserved first All-American honor.