SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Junior forward Avery Koenen has been named the 2026 Summit League Women's Basketball Scholar of the Championship, the league office announced on Thursday.

Koenen boasts a 4.0 grade-point average in physical education. She is a two-time Summit League Academic Honor Roll selection and was named to the Summit League Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence last season. Earlier this week, she was tabbed the Summit League Player of the Year and Defensive Player of Year as well as earning a spot on the First Team and All-Defensive Team.

Koenen becomes the first player in program history to be named the Scholar of the Championship.

The Scholar of the Championship award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative undergraduate grade-point average participating at each of the Summit League's 19 championships. Each institution that is participating in a Summit League championship is eligible to submit one nominee for the Scholar of the Championship award.