NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Golf senior Amanda Melling (East Lansing, MI), junior Colleen Hand (Royal Oak, MI) and sophomore Melanie Maier (Richmond, TX) were all named College Sport Communicators Academic All-District for NCAA Division III. This is the second time earning the honor for both Melling and Hand while it is the first for Maier.
 
To be eligible for the CSC Academic All-District Award, the student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials and at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale). They must have reached a sophomore athletic and academic standing at the institution and must have completed at least one full year at the institution (transfer students are immediately eligible).
 
Melling, a biology major, competed in 23 rounds in her final season with the Belles and posted 13 rounds in the 70s, including 11 of 13 rounds in the spring. Melling was one of six individuals at the NCAA Championships to advance into the final two rounds, finishing T46. At the NCAA Championships, she tied the program record for an 18-hole score at the tournament (71) and the 54-hole score (227) while also setting the record for a 72-hole score of 304. She posted a scoring average of 79.13 throughout the season including a team low 76.11 in the spring. Melling took home an individual win at the MIAA Championships after shooting 72-73 for a career low 145 and was named All-MIAA First Team.
 
Hand, an accounting major, competed in 21 rounds for the Belles while posting seven rounds of 80 or lower including a season-low 78 at the MIAA Championships and the second MIAA Jamboree. Posted a season low 36-hole score of 161 at the Bulldog Classic in the fall. Was a member of the Belles NCAA Championship party and carded a 163 with rounds of 84-79. She finished her junior year with an 82.94 scoring average.
 
Maier, a nursing major, competed in 21 rounds for the Belles while posting 17 rounds in the 70s while scoring in the 70s in seven straight rounds in the spring. She posted a season-low 73 at the second MIAA Jamboree. Posted a season low 36-hole score of 152 at the MIAA Championships. Was a member of the Belles NCAA Championship party and carded a 158 with rounds of 77-81. She finished her junior year with a team low 77.42 scoring average and earned All-MIAA First Team honors for the second straight season.
 
The Belles finished the season with their third consecutive NCAA Division III National Championship appearance. The Belles took home a T23 finish at the event. In their first season under the direction of Head Coach Kristin Holt, the Belles took home four team wins on the season including two MIAA Jamborees, the Trine Spring Classic, and their third consecutive MIAA Championship. The Belles also finished the season setting a program record for scoring average in a season, 318.14. They also set a new program record for a 36-hole tournament score with a 606 at the MIAA Championships after shooting 307-299.

View the CSC Full Release.