Ludeman named Woman of the Year

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College graduate Chelsea Ludeman has been named the 2014 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Woman of the Year for the 2013-14 season.

Ludeman (Napoleon, Ohio / Napoleon) was named the conference Woman of the Year for her achievements and hard work both on and off the court.

NCAA schools nominated 446 individuals for the national award, which reflects the growth in opportunity for women to achieve as students, leaders and athletes. A quarter of those honorees received the additional recognition by their sport conference for outstanding achievement in their collegiate career.

On the court, Ludeman excelled all four years for the Yellow Jackets.  In the 25-point rally scoring era, she owns several game, season and career records.  Ludeman dominated as a hitter in her time where she owns the single game record in kills (27), single season kills (408), and career kills (1,222).  She also had 15 blocks in a game against Denison in August of 2013, which is the most blocks ever in a game by a Yellow Jacket.

She also helped lead DC to its first ever HCAC Conference Championship.  She was a main factor in DC's 9-0 conference record her senior year when they won the HCAC Conference Championship.  The Yellow Jackets went 23-5 in the regular season during Ludeman's senior season.

Her off-court services are impressive as well.  Ludeman was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee all four years of her collegiate career.  She was also the Vice President of SAAC during both her junior and senior years.  During her time in SAAC, DC was very active in volunteering time with the Special Olympics.

Ludeman was also the Project Manager of Dance Marathon for Defiance College.  Dance Marathon is a nationwide movement to raise money and awareness for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.  The mission of Dance Marathon, "We dance for those who can't."  Ludeman helped DC's Dance Marathon raise over $3,000 last year.

Ludeman will continue her educational career at Defiance College.  She will be a Graduate Assistant for DC's admissions office while working toward a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership.