CHARLOTTE, N.C. — High Point University's Esprit Cha has been named the Big South Conference Woman of the Year, alongside Radford's Meredith Page, the conference announced Tuesday afternoon.

The Big South Selection Committee used criteria of Service and Leadership (including community services, campus activities and leadership positions), Academic Achievement, Athletics Excellence and a Personal Statement from each candidate. As the Big South's Woman of the Year, Page and Cha are the conference's official nominees for the national NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

Cha becomes the fourth Panther to be named Big South Woman of the Year, joining Abby Bottomley (volleyball, 2020-21), Sarah Kahn (golf, 2022-23) and Callie Scheier (basketball, 2023-24). She is High Point's third straight honoree and the first women's lacrosse player to earn this prestigious award.

"I am honored to be recognized by the Big South and to represent High Point University in such a meaningful way," Cha said. "I carry so much respect for the other incredible women nominated, who are making an impact in their communities and their sports. This award means so much to me because it reflects a truly transformational chapter in my life. Being a student-athlete at HPU felt like a microcosm of the real world; one full of challenges, growth, and moments that shaped my character. I thank God for surrounding me with incredible people who mentored and believed in me, like Coach Boswell and the rest of our coaching staff, my teammates, and professors. I'm especially grateful for Dr. Qubein, who modeled a commitment to values-based leadership and our community. This recognition is a testament to every person who poured their time, effort, and encouragement into my journey."
 
Cha, a standout women's lacrosse player and two-time All-Big South selection, graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Biology (3.85 GPA) in December 2024 and is currently pursuing an MBA in Healthcare Management, where she holds a 4.0 GPA, while applying for medical school.
 
A team captain and leader on and off the field, Cha has always been very active in the community. She has volunteered at Little Potion's Farm and Hospice of the Piedmont, organized the annual Mason Run 5K with proceeds dedicated to the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, and was a volunteer Physics tutor as well as a peer mentor for underrepresented students entering STEM at HPU.
 
Additionally, she was involved in various community outreach initiatives like with Habitat for Humanity, West End Ministries Soup Kitchen, High Point Community Clinic and HPU's MLK Day of Giving Seed Packing. Cha also dedicated her time to volunteering with the University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute and coaching lacrosse players at Hero's Club. As a senior, she was a vital piece of the HPU women's lacrosse community outreach team.
 
Cha was just as impactful on the field as she represented HPU and Team Korea at the 2022 Women's Lacrosse World Championship. She was the leading scorer for the Koreans and sixth overall at the World Championship. During her four-year career as a Panther, she appeared in 64 games with 41 starts while scoring 131 goals and dishing out 30 assists for 161 points. She also scooped 59 groundballs and caused 31 turnovers.

A native of Elliott, Md., Cha was a two-time IWLCA Academic Honor Roll and Big South All-Conference member. She was named to the Big South First Team and Big South Second Team while also being tabbed to the Big South All-Tournament Team. The all-around student-athlete was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team and was a Presidential Founders Scholar (Full Tuition Merit Award) while being on the HPU Dean's List seven of seven semesters. Cha was a part of the Panthers' 2022 and 2025 Big South Regular Season Championship teams.
 
About the NCAA Woman of the Year
Established in 1991, the NCAA Woman of the Year program has recognized graduating female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership throughout their college careers.
 
The NCAA Woman of the Year Selection Committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will choose the Top 30 honorees — 10 from each division — from the conference-level nominees. The Top 30 honorees will be announced in the fall, and the selection committee will then determine 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year.  The honorees will be celebrated at the Woman of the Year Award Ceremony at the NCAA Convention in in January.  The Big South had its first national finalist in 2005 when Big South Hall of Famer Janiva Willis of Winthrop was named one of the 10 finalists.
 
 
BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE WOMAN OF THE YEAR
 
Year               Winner                                                                                                 Second Candidate
2005-06... Carrie Selmer, Winthrop (cross country)               
2006-07... Arlene Zelinskas, Liberty (track & field)                   
2007-08... Allyson Fasnacht, Liberty (basketball)                    
2008-09... Lisa Kingsmore, Winthrop (softball)                        
2009-10... Hope Creasy, Radford (softball)                                     
2010-11... Karyl Bacon, Liberty (volleyball)                                  
2011-12.... Caroline Wortham, VMI (track & field)                      
2012-13... Karen Blocker, Liberty (soccer)                                                            Janay Whittaker, High Point
2013-14... Jeanne Stroud, Winthrop (track & field)               
2014-15... Juli Osborne, Campbell (basketball)                         
2015-16... Ashley Rininger, Liberty (basketball)                         
2016-17... Holly Van Noord, Liberty (soccer)                                 
                           Caitlin Cridland, Winthrop (tennis)                             
2017-18... Kayli Nichols, UNC Asheville (track & field)         
                           Katherine Judge, Winthrop (lacrosse)                       
2018-19... Megan Kauffman, Winthrop (tennis)                          
                           Jessica Wollmann, Radford (soccer)                         
2019-20... Katie Thompson, Presbyterian (tennis)                    
                           Riley Popplewell, USC Upstate (basketball)       
2020-21... Abby Bottomley, High Point (volleyball)                   
                           Sydney Fisher, Radford (softball)                                  
2021-22... Claudia Prieto Alcaide, UNC Asheville (track & field)
                           Julianna Sanchez, Campbell (lacrosse)                  
2022-23... Saleena Lynch, Radford (soccer)                                  
                           Sarah Kahn, High Point (golf)                                            
2023-24... Valentine Savioz, Winthrop (golf)                                  
                           Callie Scheier, High Point (basketball)                     
2024-25... Meredith Page, Radford (volleyball)                            
                           Esprit Cha, High Point (lacrosse)