Calvin University junior women's basketball player Valerie Dirkse was named to the Women's College Academic-Athletic All-State Team by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM).
 
Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall) was one of five collegiate players in the state to receive the honor for work both on the court and in the classroom.
 
This season, Dirkse was named All-MIAA Second Team after averaging 5.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in 26 starts. She was also named the league's Defensive Player of the Year after leading the MIAA with 65 blocks and adding 36 steals.
 
Dirkse's performance on both ends of the court helped the Knights to an 18-8 overall record, including a 12-4 MIAA mark that helped Calvin take second place in the final MIAA standings.
 
In the classroom, Dirkse is a nursing major and a two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honoree thanks to a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
 
Dirkse is also a five-time Calvin Dean's List member and a two-time MIAA Academic Honor Roll honoree.
 
Along with her roles on the court and in the classroom, Dirkse also serves as a Special Olympics volunteer.
 
Dirkse is one of five players to be recognized for the award. Other in-state players recognized by the BCAM were Sara English (Kalamazoo College), Corrin Replogle (Kellogg Community College), Kylie Skidmore (Adrian College) and Hannah Spitzley (Western Michigan University).