(KTNC) -  The Heart of America Athletic Conference has selected Peru State College junior Carrie Lierz, of Holton, Kansas, for it’s A.O. Duer Award.

Each NAIA conference can nominate one male and one female student-athlete for the annual award.

The award is named in honor of the NAIA’s former executive secretary for his 26 years of service to the organization. It is presented annually to a junior men’s and women’s student-athlete who has excelled academically and athletically.

Lierz, a graduate of Jackson Heights High School, is a biochemical science major and is a member of Peru State’s honors program. Through five semesters, she has maintained a 3.948 grade point average. This past fall, she was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete and was a Capitol One District Academic First Team honoree.

Lierz is a two-year starter and three-year letter winner for the Peru State volleyball team. She’s also been a two-year member of the Student Senate and was elected to serve her second year as president of the Residence Hall Association for the 2014-15 school year.

The NAIA will announce the national A.O. Duer Award winner this spring.