Courtesy Photo­Image Baylee Collins

College of Saint Mary volleyball player Baylee Collins has been named the Midlands Colligate Athletic Conference’s Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award winner.

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The nomination now moves Collins to the national level.

Collins celebrated the nomination by excelling on the court Tuesday. She had a match high 38 digs in a five set win over York College. CSM improved to 14-17 on the season and 7-4 in the MCAC. York fell to 9-18 overall and 3-5 in conference.

The Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the NAIA and is named after Walker, who was the first African-American president of the NAIA and also president of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

The award is given annually to an NAIA student-athlete who has outstanding academic achievement, campus and community leadership, and who embraces the five core values of the Champions of Character program-integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

Collins was selected from five nominees for the honor.

Collins, a junior and a 2010 graduate of North Platte High, was recently named the MCAC Women’s Volleyball Libero of the week for the week ending Oct. 14.

Collins averaged 7.45 digs per game during the week as the Flames posted a 2-1 record. In 3-1 wins over Central Methodist College and Central Baptist College, Collins had 35 and 34 digs, respectively.

Also, she previously won the conference’s Libero of the Week honor on Sept. 23, when she averaged 6.57 digs a game for the week, including a career-best 40 digs in a 3-1 win over York College.