With many accolades, points scored and honors to her name, UH Hilo basketball star Kim Schmelz can now add one more significant accomplishment to her resume.

Schmelz was named today to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team for her performance on the basketball court and in the classroom. The 5-foot-9 graduate senior was one of just five players selected from a pool that included student-athletes from the Pacific West Confernce, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and the California Collegiate Athletic Association. 

In 2021, the players were selected on their body of work for their entire career, not just the 2020-21 season. 

As a First Team All-District selection, Schmelz will now advance to the national ballot, in consideration for the Academic All-American honors.

Schmelz first came to UHH's campus in 2015-16 and went on to work around a major knee injury to be in the program for six seasons. She finished with 1,041 career points, second all-tme on the Vulcan list. Her career average of 12.5 points per game is fifth at UHH and her 109 three-pointers made is fourth all-time. She tied her own personal best this year with 29 points against Chaminade, tying a school record with 7 three-pointers made on just 10 attempts. She also had 27 points in a game against Hawaii Pacific this season, canning 11 field goals. She was a All-PacWest Hawaii Pod selection in 2020-21.

Schmelz completed her first undergraduate degree work in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and then added a second degree in Psychology. She had a 3.67 grade point average in Psychology and a 3.69 GPA in Kinesiology and Exercise Science..

Here follows the 2021 Co-SIDA District 8 (D-II West Region) All-Academic Team.

Akayla Hackson, Cal State San Marcos, Sr., 3.82 GPA, Computer Science
Stephanie Lee, Biola University, So., 3.98, Nursing.
Cara Liggins, Point Loma, Gr., 3.97/4.00, Business (UG) / MBA (G)
Kim Schmelz University of Hawaii at Hilo, Gr., 3.67/3.69, Psychology
Michaela VanderKlugt, Concordia University Irvine, Sr., 3.31, Biology

For a complete look at all the CoSIDA Academic All-District teams, click here.