MONMOUTH, Ill. – Twice cut from her junior high school volleyball team, Melissa Jones never gave up, and she is now in an elite group, joining 49 other women as state winners of the NCAA Woman of the Year award.

The prestigious award is given to outstanding female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics and community leadership and who have completed their eligibility. Nearly 350 student-athletes were nominated nationwide for this year’s honor.

A 2003 cum laude graduate of Monmouth College, Jones was selected as the Illinois state winner by a committee comprised of representatives from NCAA member schools. The field of 50 state winners will be narrowed down to 10 finalists later this month, with the national winner named at a dinner honoring the state winners on Nov. 1 in Indianapolis.

A multi-sport athlete, Jones’ athletic achievements include sweeping both the indoor and outdoor Midwest Conference high jump titles – the only woman in Monmouth College history to accomplish a clean sweep in any event - four track All-American honors and several basketball records. A member of the 1,000-point club, she is the third-leading scorer in women’s history and the sixth overall at Monmouth.

“I’m surprised, honored and humbled to receive the state recognition,” said Jones, who came to Monmouth from United Township High School in East Moline.

She gave credit for the award to two big influences in her life.

“My parents always encouraged me and wouldn’t let me quit even after I was cut from the junior high volleyball team my first two years,” she said. “Give Monmouth College credit, also, I’m proud to say that this award is a reflection of my liberal arts education. It has been the goal of the college to produce well-rounded individuals, and I believe this award is justification of that philosophy.”

Jones is one of only four state winners to be a multi-sport athlete and one of just 12 from Division III schools.

Currently working on her masters’ degree in adapted physical education at Western Illinois University, Jones served on the student athlete advisory committee while at Monmouth and was a mentor for special needs students. She is also working with the volleyball program at Roseville High School, where she serves as fresh-soph coach and varsity assistant.