GREENVILLE, SC – For the second time in program history, the Francis Marion University women's volleyball program earned the Fall Scholar-Athlete of the Year presented by Hudl, as junior outside hitter Madilyn Gartner received the accolade on Thursday afternoon (Dec. 18).

The Scholar-Athlete awards presented by Hudl are awarded annually to one individual in each Conference Carolinas 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 (GPA) 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.

Gartner delivered a breakout junior campaign to earn AVCA All-American Honorable Mention honors. She was a consensus all-region selection, the Conference Carolinas Player of the Year, and was named All-Conference Carolinas First-Team. She was a league's Player of the Week three times in 2025 and led the conference in total kills (462), kills per set (4.05), and points per set (4.43), while ranking 17th in hitting percentage (.242). Nationally, Gartner ranks 15th in total kills, 13th in total attacks, 19th in kills per set, 24th in attacks per set, and 29th in points per set.

Gartner also averaged 1.92 digs per set and 0.43 blocks per set, registered 16 service aces, and posted a .919 reception percentage. She registered 27 matches with double-figure kills, including four with 20+ kills, to go along with seven double-doubles (kills/digs).

A native of Albertville, Minn., Gartner maintains a perfect 4.00 GPA while pursuing a bachelor's degree in biology. She is the second-ever FMU women's volleyball player to receive the honor, joining Kayla Arther, who garnered the accolade in Fall 2021. Gartner was also recently named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team and received the Conference Carolinas Elite 26 Academic Award.

Gartner is one of two Patriot student-athletes to earn the award as senior forward Tehya Dave' was named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year for women's soccer.


   Madilyn Gartner