LA MIRADA, Calif. ---  For the second-straight year, Biola Athletics is taking to social media and its website to announce its annual EDDIES awards. Since we were unable to announce our finalists and celebrate student-athletes in person with an end-of-year banquet, we will take the next two weeks to do so online and via social media to look back at the most memorable performances of Spring 2021.

The process continues today as we announce the winner of the 2021 Female Student-Athlete of the Year award. This award is meant to honor the standout female student-athlete performance for the 2020-21 school year. The list includes both freshmen and transfers. 

The 2020-21 winner of the Biola Female Student-Athlete of the Year award is Paige Austin from Biola Softball. Paige is the first softball player to earn an EDDIE for the 2020-21 season and the first to win the category from Biola Softball. 

"Paige has worked extremely hard this year with her leadership development both on and off the field," said Head Coach Nikki Udria. "She has invested lots of time and energy into her teammates as well as improving her level of play."

Paige Austin helped lead Biola Softball to a historic season, as she led the Eagles to an NCAA Division II West Region Championship title and all the way to the final game of the 2021 NCAA Division II Softball Championships. Austin was sure to leave her mark on Team 28's historic season as she tossed 157.1 innings from the circle while recording 175 strikeouts and 16 wins, six more wins than the next PacWest pitcher. 

Austin led the conference in earned run average (1.25), opposing batting average (.185), innings pitched (151.1), batters struck out (169), batters struck out looking (41) and wins (16). The junior posted multiple collegiate bests throughout the season which included a 1.33 earned run average, 16 wins, 18 complete games, 157.1 innings pitched and 175 strikeouts. 

The Biola ace's regular season success carried over to regional and national tournaments as she recorded 34.1 scoreless innings in postseason play. Nationally, Austin ranked amongst the top-25 in the NCAA DII in complete games (No. 24), earned-run average (No. 22), games started (No. 10), hits allowed per seven innings (No. 21) and strikeouts (No. 20).

Paige was recently named the PacWest Co-Female Athlete of the Year alongside Azusa Pacific's Jaylah Walker. Austin became the first softball player to win the award. The junior collected PacWest Pitcher of the Week honors twice in the 2021 season, she added selections to the NCAA DII Softball Championship All-Tournament team, D2CCA All-West Region First Team, All-PacWest First Team and NFCA All-West Region First Team in her third season as an Eagle. 

Austin helped the Eagles finish the year with a 26-16 overall record, an NCAA DII West Regional Championship and a historic appearance at the NCAA DII National Championship where the Eagles were the runner-up to West Texas A&M.

"This award is well deserved and I believe that Paige is a fantastic representation of what we envision our student athletes at Biola to be," said Udria. "I couldn't be more proud of Paige to receive this award and I hope it  encourages her to keep growing and pushing herself to be the best she can be.  What an honor it is to coach the Female Student-Athlete of the Year!"

Congratulations, Paige, on another outstanding season in the Biola uniform! 

Past Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award Winners:
Paige Austin (2021)
Madyson Brown (2020)
Sierra Bauder (2019)
Tess Van Grouw (2018)
Lisa Tixier (2017)

Head on over to our @BiolaAthletics Instagram account to leave some love for Paige.

On Thursday, we plan to announce the 2021 recipient of the Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award.

EDDIES Release Schedule 
July 5 - Finalists Announced - Female Newcomer of the Year 
July 6 - Finalists Announced - Male Newcomer of the Year
July 7 - Finalists Announced - Breakout Performance of the Year
July 8 - Finalists Announced - Female Student-Athlete of the Year
July 9 - Finalists Announced - Male Student-Athlete of the Year
July 12 - Winner Announced - Female Newcomer of the Year
July 13 - Winner Announced - Male Newcomer of the Year
July 14 - Winner Announced - Breakout Performance of the Year
July 15 - Winner Announced - Female Student-Athlete of the Year
July 16 - Winner Announced - Male Student-Athlete of the Year
July 19 - Winner Announced - Dr. Dave Holmquist Career Achievement Award