Chattanooga Women’s Basketball Shines with Four Academic All-District Honors

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) women’s basketball team just pulled off something pretty special. Four players landed spots on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team.

This award isn’t just about what happens on the court—it recognizes student-athletes who shine in the classroom, too. Caia Elisaldez, Falon Bedke, Gianna Corbitt, and Ava Card all earned this honor for the first time, which feels like a huge moment for both the team and the university.

Recognizing Academic and Athletic Excellence

The CSC Academic All-District Team celebrates student-athletes who manage to juggle classes and basketball. To even qualify, you’ve got to be at least a sophomore, keep a 3.50 GPA or better, and play in almost every game or start most of them.

Those requirements weed out anyone who isn’t fully committed, and honestly, it’s no small feat.

Caia Elisaldez: A Leader on and off the Court

Caia Elisaldez, who’s majoring in Psychology, stands out for her effort in both academics and basketball. She’s got a 3.55 GPA and even pulled off a perfect 4.0 last fall.

On the court, she led the Southern Conference (SoCon) in scoring with 17 points per game and topped the assists chart at 5.1 per game. Elisaldez grabbed the SoCon Player of the Year title—first time for a UTC Moc since 2014.

She also made headlines by dropping 33 points in a WBIT First Round game against North Dakota State. That’s the most points a Moc has ever scored in a National Tournament game.

Falon Bedke: Defensive Strength and Academic Prowess

Falon Bedke, a finance major who transferred from Southern Idaho, wasted no time making an impact. She’s rocking a 3.97 GPA and nailed a 4.0 last fall, landing her on both the Dean’s List and AD’s Honor Roll.

Bedke started 30 out of 31 games and anchored the team’s defense. She also chipped in offensively, tying a team high with 10 points in a win over UNCG.

Gianna Corbitt: A Dual Threat in Academics and Athletics

Gianna Corbitt studies Sport, Outdoor, Recreation, and Tourism Management and keeps her GPA at 3.73, with a perfect 4.0 last fall. She’s been a force on the court, ranking second in the SoCon for both scoring (15.2 points per game) and rebounding (8.4 rebounds per game).

Corbitt made the First Team All-SoCon and the All-SoCon Defensive Team. Her season included two 30-point games and six double-doubles—pretty impressive, honestly.

Ava Card: Consistent Performance and Academic Excellence

Ava Card, also in Sport, Outdoor, Recreation, and Tourism Management, has kept her GPA at 3.94 and put up two perfect 4.0 semesters, including last fall. She played in all 31 games, starting 20 of them, and averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Card hit double figures in seven games and scored 17 points in a conference matchup with ETSU.

Historic Achievement for UTC Women’s Basketball

This is the first time UTC has ever had four players named to the CSC Academic All-District Team in the same season. That’s actually the maximum number a school can nominate, which makes this even more remarkable.

It really says something about the program’s culture—pushing for excellence in every area, not just basketball.

Looking Ahead: Potential for National Recognition

Now that Elisaldez, Bedke, Corbitt, and Card made the Academic All-District Team, they’re up for the CSC Academic All-America Team. Sports Information Directors across the country will vote, and results come out April 15.

Who knows? Maybe national recognition is next for these standouts and the UTC women’s basketball program.

Conclusion

Caia Elisaldez, Falon Bedke, Gianna Corbitt, and Ava Card have really shown what it takes to shine both in the classroom and on the court. Their spot on the CSC Academic All-District Team speaks volumes about their drive and focus.

The UTC community feels proud of this achievement and can’t help but root for them as the CSC Academic All-America Team selection approaches. These four set the bar high for everyone around them.