AUSTIN, Texas --- The top player in all of NCAA Division II earned her flowers outside of the pool on Tuesday morning. Maria Roldan Gonzalez was named to the CSC Academic All-America Second Team for her prowess in competition and in the classroom.

"Beyond her incredible talent in the pool for Biola Women's Water Polo, Maria exemplifies what it means to be a true student-athlete," said Head Coach Sarah Orozco. "Her dedication to her studies and commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics have earned her this well-deserved recognition. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and know she will continue to excel in all her future endeavors."

The College Sports Communicators selected three teams and a total of 53 student-athletes to the academic all-america list. The 53 award-winners spanned a range of 10 sports within NCAA DII. Maria Roldan Gonzalez was one of only two water polo players selected to the CSC Academic All-America Women's At-Large NCAA DII Teams.  

The graduate-student separated herself in the pool with a stellar final season for the Eagles. Roldan Gonzalez saved her best play for last, helping the team to a WWPA Conference Crown with a WWPA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award to her name.

A big conference tournament with 11 goals, five assists, and four steals from Roldan Gonzalez led the utility and the team to their second-straight appearance at the nationals stage.

The ACWPC recognized the incredible year from the Biola standout and honored her with the title of NCAA DII Player of the Year. The list of individual accolades continued with an ACWPC First Team All-American and Second Team All-WWPA selections.

In late June, Roldan Gonzalez took the first step in earning the CSC Academic All-American nod with a CSC Academic All-District honor. She excelled in her school work, boasting a 3.93 GPA in her post-graduate work, while finishing her undergraduate degree in accounting with a GPA of 3.50 back in the fall of 2023.

Throughout her career, Roldan Gonzalez has piled on academic honors including three ACWPC All-Academic Teams, two WWPA All-Academic Teams, two CSC Academic All-District Teams, and one CSC Academic All-America Team.