JOPLIN, Mo. -- Upon earning a second NCCAA Game Plan 4 LIFE Character Award in the greater 2019-20 season, Kelsey Johnson has made Maranatha Athletics history.

The senior standout was given the character award for Women's Volleyball in November, and of the 11 different Maranatha student-athletes to earn Game Plan 4 LIFE awards since 2012, Johnson is the first to do it twice in the same season.

The NCCAA grants the GP4L Character Award to a student-athlete based on playing prowess, academic excellence, and the ability to demonstrate the NCCAA's core values of Love, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence. Johnson becomes the first Maranatha Women's Basketball player to receive the award since the award was first given in 2015.

Kelsey is a person that coaches want to coach. A three-year captain that has led MBU to three NCCAA regional titles, Johnson is what coaches describe as a "take charge player". Johnson is 6th all-time with 1,346 career points, and she is just 13 points shy of breaking into the top-five scorers in program history.

"Kelsey is a natural leader," said Coach Clayton Morrison. "She motivates her teammates by her own play and attitude no matter what the circumstance. Kelsey truly wants to do what's right."

Johnson is a three-time regional selection and was named to the NCCAA All-America 3rd Team last season. She has twice been honored as the player of the year by the Association of Division III Independents (NCAA DIII), and she is a two-year scholar-athlete, holding a 3.83 GPA as a business management major.

Johnson leads by example in the local church as well, as she is involved with a variety of ministries. At MBU, Johnson has served as a Resident Assistant and a member of the Student Body Council.

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Johnson has the chance for one final memory in Blue and Gold, as she and the team will tip off against Champion Christian tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. in the first round of the NCCAA DII National Tournament. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.