News Summary
Five members of the Francis Marion University softball team have been honored for their outstanding balance of athletics and academics by being named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. The players include Emily Konz, Tallulah Civoniceva, Anderson Thrower, Jenna Walling, and Madalyn White, with Walling recognized as a repeat winner. These student-athletes not only excelled on the field but also achieved impressive GPAs, showcasing their dedication to both sports and education.
Florence, South Carolina – Five members of the Francis Marion University softball team have been honored with a spot on the prestigious College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team for 2025. The selected players, who have excelled in both athletics and academics, are Emily Konz (senior outfielder), Tallulah Civoniceva (junior first baseman), Anderson Thrower (junior outfielder), Jenna Walling (junior right-handed pitcher), and Madalyn White (junior shortstop).
Among the honorees, Jenna Walling stands out as a repeat winner, having received this recognition in 2024. The All-District Team seeks to highlight talented student-athletes who balance sports performance with academic achievement. Those selected who advance as finalists, including Konz, White, and Walling, will be placed on the CSC Academic All-America ballot, with results expected to be announced in mid-June.
Individual Achievements
Emily Konz
Emily Konz hails from Lantana, Florida, and recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting. She achieved a strong 3.727 cumulative GPA and earned second-team D2CCA All-America honors. Konz was also recognized on both the NFCA and D2CCA first-team All-Southeast Region teams. Additionally, she received first-team All-Conference honors from Conference Carolinas and was selected for the 2025 All-Tournament Team. In her senior year, Konz became an NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma national college athlete honor society. On the field, she recorded impressive stats, batting .430 with 34 RBIs and 44 stolen bases, and committed only one error in 82 chances.
Tallulah Civoniceva
Tallulah Civoniceva is from Scarborough, Queensland, Australia, and currently holds a 3.903 GPA while majoring in criminal justice. She has consistently received honors on the FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic and Conference Carolinas Presidential honor rolls. This season, Civoniceva boasted a .264 batting average with 30 runs and 30 RBIs, hitting five doubles and eight home runs, while maintaining an impressive .992 fielding percentage.
Anderson Thrower
From Hanahan, South Carolina, Anderson Thrower is majoring in biology and healthcare administration with a 3.753 GPA. She has been recognized twice as an Academic All-Conference selection and awarded the NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete distinction. Throughout the season, Thrower maintained a .407 batting average across 50 games, contributing 23 RBIs and scoring 35 runs with a .456 on-base percentage.
Jenna Walling
Jenna Walling, from Johns Island, South Carolina, graduated summa cum laude with a remarkable 4.0 GPA in biology. She earned first-team NFCA All-Southeast Region and second-team D2CCA All-Region honors, along with first-team All-Conference recognition. Walling was named the conference tournament MVP, boasting an impressive pitching record of 20-3, a 1.88 ERA, and 133 strikeouts in 156 innings.
Madalyn White
Madalyn White comes from Currie, North Carolina and holds a 3.717 GPA while majoring in biology and healthcare administration. She garnered second-team D2CCA All-America honors and first-team All-Conference recognition. White hit .488 in the season, achieving a program-record of 102 hits and scored 78 runs, leading in stolen bases while reaching base safely in 56 of 59 games.
Team Success
These five student-athletes played pivotal roles in Francis Marion’s successful season, which was marked by a remarkable 53-6 record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Southeast Super Regional title game. The team also celebrated its third consecutive Conference Carolinas Tournament championship. The honorees hail from high schools in Florida, Australia, and North Carolina, representing the diversity and talent of the Francis Marion University softball program.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Josh Leonard Named South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year
New Leadership at Francis Marion University’s School of Business
Francis Marion University Softball Stars Earn Academic Honors
Florence School District 1 Approves Budget with Tax Increase
Violations at Above the Rest Residential Care Facility
Francis Marion University Softball Players Recognized for Academic Excellence
Kasey Miles Feagin Appointed Interim Superintendent in Florence
Additional Resources
- SCNow: College Baseball News
- Wikipedia: Softball
- BVM Sports: Emily Konz Achievements
- Google Search: Francis Marion University Softball
- LR Bears: All-Southeast Region Team
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Sports
