WISE –  Madelyn Lawrence has been named the 2020-21 UVA Wise Cavalier of the Year. The award is presented to the student-athlete who is distinguished academically and athletically, represents the core attributes of NCAA Division II, and shows school spirit and supports their peers and the athletic department. Lawrence truly embodied the meaning of a student-athlete, proving herself as a leader both on the court and in the classroom while staying committed to serving the community.

A captain and four-year letter winner for the UVA Wise volleyball team, Lawrence held an astounding 3.94 grade point average coupled with a plethora of academic accolades. Her recognitions include being named to the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll, the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Academic All-State team, and recipient of the Division II Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Award.

The Harrisonburg, Virginia native has also been active in community engagement working with Make-A-Wish where she sold stars to raise money for St. Jude's Foundation and the Wise MOM Project which allowed her to work at the free dental clinic in the David J. Prior Convocation Center where she participated in sterilization, ground work, and assisting patients.

For the past four years Lawrence was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) and the Peake Honors program. Throughout her time at Wise she served as a Co-Chief Justice of the Student Conduct Court and a volleyball representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Additionally, she performed duties as the secretary and treasurer for the Pre-Professional Club as well as the Vice President of the Darden Society and President of the Sigma Zeta, Xi Chapter (National Honor Society for Math and Science).

Most recently, Lawrence received the South Atlantic Conference Bob McCloskey Insurance Postgraduate Scholarship and was also selected as the 2021 Honorary Student Commencement Speaker.

Lawrence will be attending the School of Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia beginning this fall.

She is the first women's volleyball player to win the award.

Previous Cavalier of the Year Winners