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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Eskes named Stan Bates Award finalist
8/24/2023 2:00:00 PM | Volleyball
2023 grad in running for prestigious WAC award, winner to be named in September
Recent Grand Canyon graduate and former middle blocker Hannah Eskes is one of six female finalists for the WAC's Stan Bates Award.
Named in honor of former WAC Commissioner Stan Bates, the annual award is presented to the WAC's top male and female scholar-athletes, recognizing athletic achievement, academic performance and community accomplishments. The award includes a $10,000 postgraduate scholarship.
Eskes graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in biology with an emphasis in pre-medicine, earning three WAC All-Academic team accolades along the way. She has continued to pursue her education in clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern in Dallas.
Last season, Eskes started in all 29 matches, led the WAC in conference hitting percentage (.378), led the Lopes in blocks (76), tied her career high for kills (13 vs. UT Arlington), ranked fourth on the team in kills (172) and posted 221.5 points.
The Oceanside, California, native also led the WAC in blocks per set (1.42) in the 2021 spring season, and even ranked 23rd in the nation for blocks per set (1.38) in 2020.
Through her four-year GCU career, Eskes starred in 86 matches and totaled 467 kills, 171 block assists, 73 solo blocks, 24 service aces and 649.5 points. She collected All-WAC Freshman team honors in 2019 and was named to the All-WAC second team in spring 2021.
Off the court, Eskes participated in team community service events and individual efforts, serving on the GCU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for two years, working as Fellowship of Christian Athlete huddle leader for two summers at Arizona FCA camps and volunteering at Dignity Health Hospital.
"It is an honor to be selected as a finalist for the Stan Bates Award," Eskes said. "I am thankful for the love and guidance I have received from my coaches, faculty, and family throughout my time at Grand Canyon. The time spent growing as an individual within volleyball, school and other opportunities has equipped me to enter into graduate school to serve and love others through my future career."
Named in honor of former WAC Commissioner Stan Bates, the annual award is presented to the WAC's top male and female scholar-athletes, recognizing athletic achievement, academic performance and community accomplishments. The award includes a $10,000 postgraduate scholarship.
Eskes graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in biology with an emphasis in pre-medicine, earning three WAC All-Academic team accolades along the way. She has continued to pursue her education in clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern in Dallas.
Last season, Eskes started in all 29 matches, led the WAC in conference hitting percentage (.378), led the Lopes in blocks (76), tied her career high for kills (13 vs. UT Arlington), ranked fourth on the team in kills (172) and posted 221.5 points.
The Oceanside, California, native also led the WAC in blocks per set (1.42) in the 2021 spring season, and even ranked 23rd in the nation for blocks per set (1.38) in 2020.
Through her four-year GCU career, Eskes starred in 86 matches and totaled 467 kills, 171 block assists, 73 solo blocks, 24 service aces and 649.5 points. She collected All-WAC Freshman team honors in 2019 and was named to the All-WAC second team in spring 2021.
Off the court, Eskes participated in team community service events and individual efforts, serving on the GCU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for two years, working as Fellowship of Christian Athlete huddle leader for two summers at Arizona FCA camps and volunteering at Dignity Health Hospital.
"It is an honor to be selected as a finalist for the Stan Bates Award," Eskes said. "I am thankful for the love and guidance I have received from my coaches, faculty, and family throughout my time at Grand Canyon. The time spent growing as an individual within volleyball, school and other opportunities has equipped me to enter into graduate school to serve and love others through my future career."
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