INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Yeshiva University graduating senior Rachel Mirsky has been nominated for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award. She earned the nomination due to her strong commitment as a two-sport athlete (women's basketball and softball), her volunteer experience, being involved in extra-curricular activities, and for her strong performance in the classroom. In fact, she is one of just 127 multi-sport student-athletes in the NCAA (which includes Divisions I, II, and III) to be nominated for this honor.

The top 30 honorees will be celebrated and the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced at the annual award ceremony Oct. 16 in Indianapolis.

"I feel honored to be nominated for such a prestigious award," Mirsky said. "Having the privilege to play with my teams was rewarding enough, so being nominated for an award is above and beyond what I could have ever imagined."

Mirsky just graduated with a Bachelor's degree in biology with a concentration in pre-health sciences. The White Plains resident was a captain of both the Yeshiva University women's basketball and softball teams. Not only did she perform well on the court and in the field, but also excelled in the classroom with a 3.98 cumulative GPA. The captain earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in her last semester as an undergraduate student. During her time as a student, she was also a teacher's assistant in organic chemistry lab.

"Rachel Mirsky is an excellent student, athlete, and –more importantly- role model," Yeshiva University Director of Athletics, Joe Bednarsh said. "She is the epitome of the YU and NCAA philosophy, having merged athletic achievements, academic excellence, and social activism. She has earned the respect of her teachers, teammates, administration, and friends who all immediately recognized that there was something very special about her."

The dual-sport student-athlete was a key component for the softball team this past season. She pitched 28 complete games, picking up seven wins in the circle, and drilled five home runs at the plate. She produced a .299 batting average with seven doubles and drove in 20 runs. Yeshiva's starting pitcher was named to the HVIAC All-Conference Team in 2014 and 2015. She accumulated a .348 batting average at the plate with three home runs in 2015 and hit just as many home runs in 2014. At the conclusion of the 2015 season, Mirsky became the first player in the history of the softball program to be named to the Capital One / College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District team for District 3.

In the final season of her basketball career, Mirsky started in all 22 games. She produced 12 points against Farmingdale State back in January, and added 11 points against Albany Pharmacy in November. She scored in double-figures on four occasions during the 2015-16 season, ending her three-year basketball career on a high-note.

Mirsky was actively involved throughout her collegiate career.  She was the President of the Sharsheret Club. Sharsheret is a non-profit organization supporting those facing Breast Cancer. She helped raised awareness and money for Sharsheret. Due to her strong efforts, Mirsky received the Bryna Miller Fertig award for volunteer work with cancer patients.

The pre-medical student went on a global health mission to Guatemala to be a medical volunteer in a clinic. While on her mission, she taught rural school children about proper hygiene and preventative health. Locally, she volunteered in New York Presbyterian's Emergency Department and was a mentor in College EDge, a program that helps underrepresented public high school kids to attain a post-secondary education.

Mirsky did research in a lab in Israel over the summer, funded by JFEW from Yeshiva University. She also served as a team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

"My philosophy is 'Work hard, play harder,'" Mirsky said. "Whether it is learning, playing sports, or even volunteer work, I love what I do. It isn't a juggling act, it's just my schedule. I wouldn't have been able to balance it all without the support of my family, friends, coaches and teammates." 

In the 2012-13 academic year, Mirsky attended Migdal Oz in Israel and had an amazing experience. She was able to involve herself in intense and meaningful study, while having the opportunity to immerse herself in the Israeli culture and land.

"I am proud to have been part of her YU experience," Bednarsh said.

The full NCAA nomination list can be seen here.