Francis Marion University senior forward
Tehya Dave' has been named the 2025 Conference Carolinas Scholar-Athlete of the Year presented by Hudl for the sport of women's soccer as the conference announced the winners for the fall sports on Thursday (Dec. 18).
The Scholar-Athlete awards presented by Hudl are awarded annually to one individual in each conference-sponsored sport. The Scholar-Athlete of the Year winners are chosen by the Conference Carolinas Student-Athlete Affairs and Awards Committee.
To be considered, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher. In addition, the nominees for the award must have been named all-conference in their sport and also chosen academic all-conference.
Dave' is one of two Patriot student-athletes to earn an award as junior outside hitter Madilyn Gartner was named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year for women's volleyball.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Dave' was a first-team All-America selection by the United Soccer Coaches and a second-team Women's Scholar All-American by the same organization.
A two-time first-team all-conference selection, a two-time All-Region pick, and an Academic All-Conference choice for 2025, Dave' was also named the conference's 2025 Offensive Player of the Year and was placed on the conference's All-Tournament Team.
She owns a 3.867 GPA while double majoring in marketing and finance. She recently earned CSC Academic All-District recognition for 2025. She received a Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award in 2025 and has been named to the FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic and Conference Carolinas Presidential honor rolls for each of her semesters at Francis Marion.
On the field, Dave' led Conference Carolinas with 34 total points, which ranked 12th in NCAA Division II. She tied for the league lead with 13 goals, while dishing out eight assists in 20 matches. Dave' paced the conference and ranked seventh nationally with six game-winning goals in 2025. Additionally, she ranked 10th in NCAA Division II and led the conference with 2.20 shots on goal per match.
Dave' season-point total was 10th best in program history, while she stands tied for 12th all-time with 22 career goals at FMU.
She helped lead the Patriots to a 17-3-0 record, matching the most wins in a single season in team history. Francis Marion's 14-0-0 start was its best ever. FMU won the Conference Carolinas East Division title, secured the top seed in the conference tournament, and garnered its second straight NCAA Tournament bid and fourth in program history.
Dave' is a graduate of North Catholic High School.
Tehya Dave'
